The recent arrests are part of four active corruption probes involving the Istanbul municipality. This is the fifth wave of detentions since March 19, when Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on allegations of corruption.

Political Crisis Further Escalates
Imamoglu, an opposition heavyweight whose star has risen as he emerged as the most credible challenger in two decades to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, has found himself in the eye of growing political storm. His arrest led to nationwide protests, seizures of plants and huge banners announcing his innocence, and focused on the state of democracy in Turkey.

Opposition supporters say Imamoglu and other CHP members arrests are politically motivated, designed to crush the opposition, to silence dissent against the ruling status quo and to weaken the opposition ahead of potential future elections.