Supporters of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said the corruption charges against him were a ploy to thwart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival.
Istanbul's mayor was jailed pending trial on corruption charges and removed from office on Sunday, threatening a potential candidate in Turkey's next presidential election and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested at his home on Wednesday, four days before he was due to be named as Turkey's political opposition candidate for president. He has denied the charges against him, which Mr Erdogan's opponents have called a ploy to prevent the popular politician from running for president.
The court ordered Mr. Imamoglu to be jailed on corruption charges pending trial. State prosecutors accused him of running a criminal organization and overseeing bribery, bid rigging and other financial fraud at City Hall.
Prosecutors also accused him of supporting terrorism through his political coordination with a pro-Kurdish group during local elections last year. The court decided not to order his detention on those charges but said the matter remained under investigation.
On Sunday afternoon, the Interior Ministry suspended Mr. Imamoglu from his post.
Protesters demonstrated in support of Mr. Imamolgu in Turkey’s major cities on Sunday evening. Thousands gathered in front of Istanbul City Hall, carrying Turkish flags and hand-written signs mocking Mr. Erdogan or calling for justice.
