Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has denied terrorism charges against him, according to a court document seen by Reuters, after Turkey detained him on Wednesday on corruption and terrorism charges.
“I see today during my interrogation that I and my colleagues are facing unimaginable accusations and slanders,” Imamoglu said in his defense at the counter-terrorism police interrogation, the document shows.
Imamoglu is a key opposition figure and a potential challenger to longtime President Tayyip Recep Erdogan.
“These slanders will return after hitting the walls in the heart of our nation,” Imamoglu said.
“It is imperative,” Imamoglu said, “that Turkey gets rid of the mentality that thinks it has the right to do anything to protect (its) headquarters as soon as possible,” in a veiled allusion to Erdogan.
Imamoglu is expected to appear in court later today, when a decision will be made on his release or detention pending trial.
The detention of Ekrem Imamoglu sparked large protests in Turkey, and police arrested hundreds of his supporters.
