Türkiye arrested the mayor of Istanbul, key rival of President Erdogan

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, one of the most prominent opposition politicians in Turkey, was arrested Wednesday morning due to charges related to corruption and terrorism, said the city prosecutor’s office.

A large group of police arrived at Mr. Imamoglu’s house and took it, and some of their assistants were also arrested. Prosecutors said arrest orders for more than 100 people had issued.

Mr. Imamoglu has been seen as a probable contender in the next presidential elections, scheduled for 2028, although the early elections are likely. He and other opposition figures have accused the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to try to exclude Mr. Imamoglu from politics so that he cannot apply for elections, possibly against Mr. Erdogan himself.

In a video posted on social networks before his arrest, Mr. Imamoglu accused the government of “usurping the will of the people.”

“We face great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged,” he said.

This is a development story.