Amnesty International on Wednesday condemned the Turkish government’s detention of over 100 individuals, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, calling it a severe escalation of its crackdown on the political opposition.

Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Europe, Dinushika Dissanayake, characterized the government’s actions as a severe intensification of the ongoing suppression of peaceful dissent, and the targeting of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP). He said:

While the weaponization of vague anti-terrorism allegations to detain and prosecute opponents is not new, these latest detentions and associated restrictions represent an alarming intensification of the targeting of real or perceived critics, main opposition and others, and a further suffocation of civil society’s ability to exercise their right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

The detentions extend beyond Mayor İmamoğlu, with apprehension orders issued for around 100 others associated with him, including district mayors in Istanbul. The government has imposed a ban on public gatherings in Istanbul for four days, but this move has only spurred expectations of increased protests nationwide, particularly as opposition leaders urged people to voice their discontent.

The timing of the crackdown is notable, as it comes just before the main opposition party, CHP, is scheduled to select its presidential candidate. İmamoğlu was expected to be chosen for this position, but the government’s actions, such as the closure of major transportation routes in Istanbul and the cancellation of İmamoğlu’s university degree, have thrown this into doubt — and added fuel to the fire of public dissent. In accordance with Article 101 of the Turkish constitution, it is mandated that individuals seeking the presidency must attain higher education qualifications.

In response to the criticisms and concerns raised, Türkiye’s Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç defended the investigations and detentions, emphasizing the independence and impartiality of the judicial process. He stressed the importance of respecting the rule of law and cautioned against misinformation and protests that could undermine the integrity of the legal proceedings. The investigations against İmamoğlu and others are said to involve allegations of aiding terrorism and participating in organized crime for financial gain, including offenses like bribery, embezzlement, and fraud. Türkiye has been criticized in several occasions for its misuse of counter-terrorism measures.