Dar es Salaam, March 19 -- ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities have detained the mayor of Istanbul, just days before he was due to be selected as a presidential candidate.

Ekrem Imamoglu, from the secular Republican Peoples Party (CHP), is seen as one of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogans strongest political rivals.

Prosecutors accused him of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a “criminal organisation leader suspect”.

Authorities detained 100 suspects – including other politicians, journalists and businessmen – as part of the investigation, and the Istanbul governors office has imposed four days of restrictions in the city.

Imamoglu said online that “the will of the people cannot be silenc...