Turkey has arrested dozens of online publications after conducting Erdogan’s rival

Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for “provocative” posts on social media after detaining Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday.

Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people detained, including corruption and support for terrorist groups – a move that caused protests in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

A member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s President Recep and had to be appointed presidential candidate for the 2028 election later this week.

Critics describe his arrest as a “coup” and plan additional demonstrations, although the governor of Istanbul imposes a four -day ban on protests.

Interior Minister Ali Jerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that police had identified 261 “Suspect Accounts Managers” online.

They claim to have published content that violates the laws to “incite the public to hatred and hostility” and “incitement to commit a crime”.

“Thirty -seven suspects were caught and efforts continue to catch the rest of the suspects,” he said, adding that more than 18.6 million publications have appeared online for arrests on Wednesday until 0600 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

But these efforts have not discouraged the protesters so far.

Tens of thousands gathered outside the Istanbul City Hall on Wednesday. Some demanded the resignation of the government while others chanted Erdogan, dictator.

The leader of the CHP Ozgur Ozel turned to the supporters of a rally and called for them to “fill the streets”. A party spokesman told AFP the Zelel news agency is expected to turn to the crowds outside the hall again on Thursday 2030 Local (1730 GMT).

Police collide with demonstrators in several places, shooting tear gas and pepper.

Turkish authorities have also restricted the use of social media across the country after Wednesday arrests, including the use of WhatsApp, According to the United Kingdom -based NetBlocksS

Dozens of police officers were involved in the attack at Imamoglu’s house in Istanbul early Wednesday morning.

He was one of 106 people detained in the operation.

In recent months, the arrests have come as part of a major national repression aimed at opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists and figures in the entertainment industry.

Local prosecutors also announced on Thursday that they had seized a construction company owned by the mayor of Istanbul as part of an investigation into alleged financial crimes.

Opposition figures say the arrests are politically motivated. But the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday criticized those who associated Erdogan with arrests and demanded their judicial independence.

Last year, Imamoglu won a second term as mayor of Istanbul when his CHP party swept the local elections there in Ankara.

For the first time, President Erdogan came to power that his party had been defeated throughout the urn.

The election was also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became mayor of Istanbul at his rise in power.

Erdogan has been a position for the last 22 years, both Prime Minister and President of Turkey. Due to the limitations of the term, it cannot be re -ranked for position in 2028 unless the constitution changed.

The election of the CHP presidential candidate, in which Imamoglu is the only person to take place, will be held on Sunday.

Opposition groups are now calling for demonstrations that day.