Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu was officially arrested and sent to Silivri prison following overnight court proceedings. His detention sparked widespread protests, with CHP leader Özel declaring İmamoğlu "both on the path to Silivri and the presidency."
By early afternoon, the Interior Ministry removed İmamoğlu from office along with Beylikdüzü Mayor Çalık and Şişli Mayor Şahan. The Istanbul Governor's office announced deputy mayor elections would be held March 26.
Justice Minister Tunç warned against "politicizing" the case, insisting the charges were legitimate, not political. İmamoğlu's wife Dilek declared "he defeated you four times, he'll defeat you a fifth time."
CHP held its planned voting event despite the crisis, with Mansur Yavaş casting his ballot for İmamoğlu. Opposition figures gathered at Saraçhane amid police interventions, while international reactions began emerging, including criticism from the German government.