Turkish Opposition Calls ‘Dirty Operation’ as 2 Lawmakers Held During Vote

Istanbul – A Turkish opposition party has accused the ruling AKP of engineering a “timed, dirty operation” after four municipal council members switched parties and a leadership vote was scheduled while two others were in police custody. Speaking outside the Üsküdar municipal building in Istanbul on Wednesday, provincial party chair Özgür Çelik condemned the transfer of the four assembly members to the AKP, the detention of council members, and the decision to set a date for electing a new deputy mayor while two members remain under arrest. “This is a pre-planned, filthy maneuver,” Çelik said. He did not provide details on the charges or the timing of the detentions. A party official identified only as Dedetaş separately called for “respect for the voters’ will,” urging authorities to postpone any vote until all council members can participate freely. The AKP has not yet responded to the allegations. Local elections in Turkey are closely watched, and party-switching by municipal legislators is a sensitive issue that often sparks accusations of political pressure.