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For more than three hours, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is suspected of corruption and terrorism, testified and denied the corruption charges against him, according to a court document seen by Reuters.
Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and potential opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming presidential elections, was asked to answer at least 40 questions regarding the municipality's public tenders.
"I categorically reject all charges," he said during his defense, according to the document, while emphasizing that "my arrest constitutes political interference."
Imamoglu is expected to appear in court on Saturday, according to reports. Authorities have until Sunday morning to formally file charges against him.
Imamoglu was arrested on Wednesday on charges including bribery and aiding a terrorist group. At the same time, a construction company co-owned by Imamoglu was also seized, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced. Control of the company was transferred to the Justice of the Peace, based on financial crime investigation reports.
Incidents erupted earlier in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir between protesters and police during demonstrations organized by the opposition in support of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, AFP correspondents and Turkish media reported.
In Istanbul, police used rubber bullets, according to AFP. In Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, riot police used water cannons to disperse the crowd, local television channels reported.
The mayor, who is accused of "corruption and terrorism", was due to receive the CHP's nomination on Sunday to be its candidate in the upcoming presidential election. "Wherever you are, get out of the house, join those you can and march together," Ezel urged his supporters.
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