Ekrem Imamoglu: Dozens arrested in Turkey for 'provocative' social media posts

Authorities in Turkey have arrested dozens of people for "provocative" social media posts after the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday.

Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people held on charges including corruption and aiding terrorist groups - a move that has sparked protests in Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

A member of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), Imamoglu is a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was set to be named as a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections later this week.

Critics say his arrest is a "coup" and are planning further demonstrations, despite Istanbul's pro-Erdogan governor banning protests for four days.

Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Thursday morning that police had identified 261 "suspect account managers" online who had allegedly posted content "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" and "incitement to commit a crime".

"Thirty-seven suspects were caught and efforts are continuing to catch the other suspects," he said, adding that more than 18.6 million posts appeared online about Wednesday's arrests by 0600 local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday.

A message posted on Imamoglu's X account on Thursday called on Turkey to "stand against this evil as a nation", urging members of the judiciary and of Erdogan's party to fight injustice.

"These events have gone beyond our parties and political ideals. The process is now concerning our people, namely your families," Imamoglu said. "It is time to raise our voices."

The mayor of Istanbul may have spent his first night in detention but the municipality is still controlled by his opposition party.