Mayor of Istanbul Arrested for Conspiring to Win Presidency

Istanbul – Ekrem İmamoğlu, the popular mayor of Istanbul, was arrested last week by authorities on charges of corruption and conspiracy. Specifically, conspiring to defeat President Erdogan in upcoming elections.

İmamoğlu and his Republican People's Party surprised the ruling Justice and Development Party by winning recent municipal elections, and are favored in national polls.

"[İmamoğlu] is a clear threat," said a government spokesman, before continuing quietly, "to our ability to stay in power."

Authorities appear to be taking no chances, as the mayor's undergraduate diploma has been revoked by his alma mater. Turkey requires all candidates to have graduated college.

The arrest has sparked daily protests, which have been met with violent police action.

However, Erdogan's government remains unmoved. "We cannot allow such criminal democracy," it announced in an official briefing.