A Turkish court issued a fresh arrest order for Istanbul’s jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Monday on suspicion of “political espionage”, marking a new stage in an unprecedented crackdown on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s opponents. It is not unusual for Turkish courts to issue formal arrest orders for people already in custody when a new investigation is launched. Critics say the courts are politicized, an allegation rejected by the government which says they are independent. Some analysts said the move against Imamoglu, Erdogan’s main political rival, could lead to the state seizing control of the municipality of Istanbul, which is Europe’s largest city. The espionage probe marks an escalation of a year-long legal crackdown on the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which the government’s critics see as damaging Türkiye’s democratic credentials. Imamoglu and his party are already facing an array of allegations that they deny.

Full report : Jailed Istanbul Mayor Hit with New ‘Espionage’ Arrest Order as Opposition Crackdown Deepens.