Featured

Kweku Zurek

Mar – 23 – 2025 , 18:05

1 minute read

Istanbul, Mar. 23, (dpa/GNA) – Popular opposition politician Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been formally arrested and removed as mayor of Istanbul after a court on Sunday ordered his pre-trial detention on corruption charges.

İmamoğlu was first taken into custody on Wednesday, ahead of his expected nomination as the presidential candidate for Turkey’s largest opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

The move has sparked nightly nationwide demonstrations, with up to 300,000 rallying in Istanbul on Friday night alone according to CHP figures.

İmamoğlu is among those facing accusations of terrorism and corruption in two separate investigations involving a total of 106 suspects, including the mayor’s advisers and many others.

Critics see his arrest as an attempt to eliminate a potential rival to Erdoğan – a charge strongly rejected by the long-standing leader’s government.

The Interior Ministry said on Sunday that İmamoğlu had been “temporarily” suspended as mayor of Istanbul, a decision that added to the outrage among his supporters. A pro-government state official is expected to be appointed in his place.

The judge’s order for his pre-trial detention came in connection with the corruption charge, with İmamoğlu being accused of membership in a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, fraud and bid rigging.

He is also accused of supporting the banned Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) in the terrorism investigation.

The state-run Anadolu news agency said the charge in this case was linked to cooperation between the CHP and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party in the local elections.

Public prosecutors argue that the cooperation helped to extend the influence of the banned PKK.

İmamoğlu has vehemently denied the allegations and said on Saturday that they are based on “fabricated” reports.

CHP leader Özgür Özel said that İmamoğlu would be taken to Marmara Prison in Istanbul’s Silivri district.

CHP holds primary despite İmamoğlu’s arrest

The CHP went ahead with plans to nominate İmamoğlu as its presidential candidate in a primary vote on Sunday.

In the nationwide ballot, the party’s 1.7 million members are called upon to back İmamoğlu for the 2028 presidential election.

Broadcaster Halk TV showed images of queues outside polling stations in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman.

A result was expected to be announced on Sunday evening.

Even if İmamoğlu gets the mandate from his party, he will only be recognized as an official candidate if the Turkish electoral authority YSK, which is considered to be pro-government, confirms his candidature.

If the terror investigations have not been dropped by then, it is unlikely that his candidacy will be accepted.

A higher-education qualification is also a prerequisite for running for president in Turkey. İmamoğlu was stripped of his university degree this week.

İmamoğlu’s victory in Istanbul in 2019 – and re-election in 2024 – were seen as bitter defeats for Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had previously governed the city.

Istanbul is Turkey’s most populous metropolis and is of major importance to the country’s politics and economics.

Control of the mayor’s office is also highly symbolic, as the position was formerly held by Erdoğan from 1994.

The CHP has called İmamoğlu’s arrest a “civilian coup” by Erdoğan’s AKP.

Arrest sparks protest in Berlin

Some 1,300 people took to the streets in Berlin on Sunday to protest the arrest of İmamoğlu, according to police estimates.

Protesters marched from Breitscheidplatz to Adenauerplatz in the west of the German capital, some holding signs that read: “Together for a democratic Turkey” and “We want our democracy back.”

The CHP Federation in Berlin called for the rally.

Around 3 million people with Turkish roots live in Germany.

GNA

PDC

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan as the new Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

A statement issued on Sunday, March 23, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, confirmed the appointment.

Brig. Gen. Annan, a seasoned and highly respected officer of the Ghana Army, is tasked with resetting the Customs Division and supporting the GRA in achieving its revenue targets as part of the government’s broader efforts to fix the economy.

Until his appointment, Brig. Gen. Annan served as the Presidential Security Coordinator, bringing extensive experience in security and administration to his new role.

President Mahama upon the appointment expressed gratitude to the outgoing Commissioner, Brigadier General Ziblim Ayorrogo, for his dedicated service to the Customs Division and the nation.

Medeama Sporting Club moved within 7 points of leaders Asante Kotoko, with a 2-0 win over Aduana in Tarkwa. 

Ibrahim Tanko’s men controlled the opening half, with Michael Sarpong the standout performer, but were unable to find the back of the net.

Aduana struggled to create anything meaningful, with the first half ending goalless.

The second half continued from where the first ended, with Medeama continuing to push for the opener. 

The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the second half when Sarpong was brought down in the box. Yussif Mubarik stepped up and calmly slotted home to give the home side the lead.

Aduana’s attempts to level were thwarted by a resolute defensive display from Medeama.

Midfielder Sarpong, sealed the victory with 15 minutes to go, when his close range low header found the back of the net. 

The Mauve and Yellow are now unbeaten in their last six home matches, and hand yet another defeat to a Aduana FC side they’ve beaten four times at home in the league since 2020.

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