Alaattin Köseler, mayor of Istanbul’s Beykoz district and member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained at his home early Thursday morning (February 27).

Köseler is being held on charges of “corrupt interference in awarding of tenders” and “misconduct in public office”. A further 21 people have also been detained in connection with the investigation.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, and CHP Istanbul head Özgür Çelik all released statements early Thursday condemning Köseler’s arrest.

The statements took particular aim at the circumstances of Köseler’s detention. The Beykoz mayor was reportedly detained around 4:00 am while asleep at his home.

Politicians from Turkey’s main opposition CHP have been subjected to increasing........

© Medyascope