Erdogan denounces CHP for obstructing corruption investigation
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on April 8th accused the country’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), of attempting to obstruct a major corruption investigation targeting Istanbul’s jailed mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
According to The New Arab, Erdogan claimed that the CHP, which Imamoglu is a member of, was trying to derail the investigation by “shouting” and accusing state institutions of politicisation, all in an effort to block justice.
In his remarks to officials of his ruling AK Party, Erdogan firmly declared, “No matter what you do, you cannot obstruct the course of justice.”
He emphasised that it was the duty of the judiciary to act on behalf of the Turkish people and “break those dirty hands” involved in the alleged corruption.
“In time, the public will see just how far this network, which has entangled Istanbul like ivy, truly reaches,” he added, suggesting that the corruption web went much deeper than what was publicly known.
The opposition, particularly the CHP, has strongly denied the allegations, arguing that the charges against Imamoglu are politically motivated and an attack on democracy.
Imamoglu, who is widely seen as a strong contender to challenge Erdogan in future presidential elections, has become a focal point in the growing tension between the government and the opposition.
The CHP believes the corruption investigation is part of an effort to undermine Imamoglu’s political career, particularly as he poses a significant challenge to Erdogan and his rule.
While the government denies any political influence over the judiciary, it has accused the opposition of overreacting and panicking in response to the corruption investigation.
The arrest of Imamoglu, combined with mass protests, has sparked widespread unrest across Turkey.
Hundreds of thousands of people, including university students, have rallied in support of the mayor, calling the investigation politically driven.
The protests have been mostly peaceful, though nearly 2,000 people have been detained, with around 300 of them currently jailed pending trial.
The arrest and subsequent protests have had a significant impact on Turkey’s economy.
The Turkish lira has plummeted to a record low, and the political instability triggered by the ongoing investigation has led to a sell-off of Turkish assets.
This has destabilised company balance sheets and driven up already high borrowing costs, further straining the country’s economy, as reported by Reuters.
The political and economic fallout from Imamoglu’s case is likely to continue influencing Turkey’s political landscape in the months to come.
The New Arab. Maghrebi. Reuters.
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