Turkey detains Istanbul's mayor, top rival of President Erdogan
What's the story
Turkish authorities have detained Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul Mayor and a key political opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
His detention is part of ongoing corruption and terror investigations, state broadcaster TRT reported.
The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has issued detention orders for around 100 people associated with Imamoglu, including his press adviser Murat Ongun.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the detentions "a coup attempt against our next president," alleging the authorities used force to replace or obstruct people's will.
Protests
Authorities close several roads around Istanbul for 4 days
In response, Istanbul's governorship suspended public demonstrations in the city till March 23, citing reasons to maintain public order.
Imamoglu's detention comes days before the primary election of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), where he was expected to be nominated as its presidential candidate.
Critics labeled the detentions politically motivated and part of a continuing government crackdown on the opposition following Erdogan's crushing defeat in municipal and mayoral elections last year.
Criminal charges
Imamoglu and associates face serious criminal charges
Imamoglu and about 100 others associated with him have been charged with serious crimes, including being part of a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, and aggravated fraud.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made the charges.
Imamoglu is also being investigated for allegedly assisting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), both of which Turkey considers terrorist organizations.
Degree annulled
Imamoglu's university degree annulled amid detention
To make matters worse for the opposition, Istanbul University has also canceled Imamoglu's degree over 'irregularities.'
The decision has hit the opposition hard and put Imamoglu's presidency at stake. Without a university degree, he cannot contest for president under Turkish law.
But Imamoglu argued the decision was illegal and beyond the university's jurisdiction, and he would challenge it legally.