site.btaRuling Party AKP Dismisses Coup Attempt Accusations Over Istanbul Mayor's Detention

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkiye rejected the opposition’s accusations that the authorities staged a “coup attempt” over the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoglu, local outlets wrote on Thursday.

Those accusations were made by Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel. İmamoglu is also from the CHP.

“Ozgur Ozel cannot accuse us of staging a coup,” ruling party spokesman Omer Celik said Thursday. He called on the opposition leader to present proof of these accusations.

The spokesman also said that he does not have information about the content of the lawsuit filed against İmamoglu.

On Wednesday, arrest warrants were issued for 106 people, including the Istanbul mayor. The order came a day after Istanbul University annulled the mayor’s diploma. So far, about 100 people have been detained.