TRANSCRIPT:
In the moments before his arrest, the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu filmed a message for his supporters - all the while knowing police were waiting outside his home to take him into custody.
"We are faced with great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not give up. I love you all very much. I entrust myself to my nation. Let my entire nation know that I will stand tall."
The mayor was detained by authorities just after dawn, sparking a groundswell of anger in response.
Tens of thousands have turned out for demonstrations, despite four day ban on public protests.
Scuffles broke out between police and protesters at Istanbul university, protests lasting into the night, highlighting the Mayor's standing as a popular and influential political figure.
The leader of Turkiye's main opposition party Ozgur Ozel has denounced his arrest as politically motivated.
"What has been happening since yesterday has a name. Let's give it that name. What has been happening since yesterday is a coup attempt."
The Prosecutor's office has gone as far as accusing the Mayor of leading a criminal organisation.
It alleges he took part in corrupt practices and aided a terrorist organisation through dealings with a Pro-Kurdish political party.
More than 100 people have been detained as part an investigation Turkish justice minister Yilmaz Tunc maintains was free of government interference.
"Characterising investigations carried out by an impartial and independent judiciary as something like a coup, or using similar terms is extremely dangerous and incorrect."
A day before the mayor's arrest, Istanbul University also moved to annul his diploma - citing procedural inconsistencies.
The Turkish constitution stipulates a presidential candidate must have such a degree.
His supporters say it's just another attempt to exclude him from their next election race, with the mayor just days away from being named an opposition candidate for the next presidential election.
Critics say his arrest is an attempt to remove the mayor as a threat to Reccip Tayip Erdogan, who has served as Turkiye's prime minister and president for more than two decades.
