A second lawyer for jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu has been detained in northern Turkey as part of an expanding corruption investigation into the opposition-run Istanbul Municipality, Turkish media reported.
Nusret Y?lmaz, who also represents ?mamo?lu’s wife, was taken into custody in the Black Sea province of Trabzon on allegations of “mediating bribery.” He was escorted by police to Istanbul for questioning.
The move comes after another of ?mamo?lu’s, lawyers, Mehmet Pehlivan, was arrested June 19 on charges of belonging to a criminal organization. Pehlivan rejected denied the accusation at the time, saying the only organizations he belonged to were the Turkish Bar Association and the Istanbul Bar.
The arrest of his two lawyers have intensified criticism that the government is attempting to weaken the legal defense of ?mamo?lu, a senior member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). CHP officials called the detentions acts of intimidation and part of a broader campaign targeting opposition figures.
Critics expressed outrage on social media.
Turkey detains second lawyer representing jailed Istanbul mayor
