Beyoglu mayor among 40 detained in Erdogan-era sweep

Turkish police detained 40 people, including the mayor of Istanbul’s central Beyoglu district, as part of a sweeping corruption investigation, state broadcaster TRT Haber reported.

The arrests mark the latest phase in a government crackdown that has seen more than 500 people detained over the past year.

Beyoglu Mayor Inan Guney, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), became the 16th opposition mayor taken into custody. Authorities accuse those detained of fraudulent dealings involving companies linked to the Istanbul municipality. Arrest warrants were issued for 44 people in total, according to TRT Haber.

The CHP has denounced the arrests, calling them politically motivated attempts to dismantle Turkey’s main opposition force. The government denies the allegations. 

Among those already imprisoned is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan’s most prominent political rival, who faces charges of corruption and alleged ties to terrorism.

The crackdown comes a day after CHP mayor Ozlem Cercioglu from the western city of Aydin defected to Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), citing disputes with the CHP leadership. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel alleged that Cercioglu had been pressured with threats of legal action and arrest unless she switched parties, a claim denied by both AKP officials and Cercioglu herself.

A Broader Political Battle

The detentions highlight intensifying tensions between the ruling AKP and the opposition ahead of future elections. 

Critics argue that Erdogan is using corruption and terrorism allegations to weaken his political rivals, while government officials insist the investigations are legitimate efforts to combat graft.