Turkey Jails 18 More Opposition-Linked Istanbul Officials in Widening Clampdown

The city’s opposition-affiliated mayor was arrested last month on corruption and terrorism-related charges that critics say are politically motivated.

Istanbul police face off against protesters on April 19, 2025. Kemal Aslan/AFP via Getty Images

An Istanbul court has jailed 18 opposition-linked municipal officials pending trial on graft charges, Turkey’s state-run media outlet Anadolu Agency confirmed on April 30.

The move comes amid an ongoing clampdown on officials affiliated with the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party.