23 Mar, 18:23

Imamoglu supporters reconvene for mass rally near Istanbul City Hall

Protests in support of him take place in front of the city hall every day

ISTANBUL, March 23. /TASS/. Thousands of protesters supporting Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, arrested in a corruption case, gathered in Saracchane Square near the city hall; police blocked the area, a TASS correspondent reports.

Imamoglu had earlier called on Turkish citizens to come out for mass rallies on Sunday to defend democracy. Protests in support of him take place in front of the city hall every day. The most massive one took place on Saturday, with about 1 million people taking part, according to the opposition's figures.

Earlier reports indicated that the criminal court in Istanbul issued a preventive arrest order for Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. In addition to the mayor, dozens of others were detained, including several senior officials from his office. Some suspects have been released under judicial control or on the condition of not leaving the country. In total, 92 individuals are being held in connection with corruption and terrorism-related cases.

The decision is not final. Imamoglu and the other detainees have the right to appeal the detention order within two weeks. If the court rejects the appeal, the defendants can further challenge the decision in a higher body, including the Constitutional Court.

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Yesterday, 11:40

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Yesterday, 16:57

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Yesterday, 09:55

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Yesterday, 16:45

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Yesterday, 19:23

Energy strike moratorium voided if one side breaks it — Kremlin

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Yesterday, 11:12

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Yesterday, 20:34

Europe engages in ‘freeloading’ in cases with Ukraine, Yemen, NATO — Trump

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Yesterday, 10:57

Chinese expert believes Russia needs to cooperate with Asia not relying too much on US

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Yesterday, 10:59

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