Turkey Police Detain 24 People Including Two Mayors In Fresh Corruption Sweep

ISTANBUL, June 25 (dpa) -- Turkish authorities have detained 24 people in another round of raids targeting opposition-run municipalities as part of alleged corruption investigations, state news agency Anadolu reported on Thursday.

Among those detained were two district mayors from the coastal metropolis of Izmir, Anadolu said. Both are members of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's largest opposition party.

Sweeps were also carried out in Istanbul and the provinces of Aydın and Adana, according to Anadolu.

The CHP has come under massive pressure since its strong performance in the 2024 local elections. More than 20 of the party's elected mayors are now in prison, and some have been removed from office.

The most prominent case is that of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the most high-profile rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. İmamoğlu was arrested in March last year on charges including corruption, triggering mass protests.

The CHP says the proceedings are politically motivated and claims the government is trying to prevent İmamoğlu from running for president in 2028. The government rejects the accusation.

--NNN-dpa