Turkey’s Financial Crimes Police have arrested Özgür Kapadayı, the mayor of Şile district in northern Istanbul, further expanding the government's legal crackdown on the main opposition party, according to a report published Thursday by Demirören News Agency and cited by Reuters.
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The report did not specify the charges on which Kapadayı—a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP)—and other municipal officials were detained.
This follows the March arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is being tried on separate charges related to corruption and aiding a terrorist organization. His arrest sparked mass protests, a major sell-off of Turkish assets, and widespread accusations of judicial politicization.
In April, Turkish authorities launched an investigation into CHP leader Özgür Özel and arrested more mayors affiliated with the party as part of a broader security campaign.
The crackdown has extended beyond elected officials to include journalists, students, YouTubers, cartoonists, prominent businesspeople critical of the government, and even companies.
While many politicians face corruption charges, others are accused of “insulting the president,” or “offending Islam or national values”—charges often amplified by pro-government media outlets. (Agencies)
