Human Rights Watch Turkey Director Emma Sinclair-Webb condemned the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and others from the Istanbul municipality on Wednesday, calling it a "flagrant abuse of the justice system".

In comments to Reuters, Sinclair-Webb described the detentions as part of a "pattern of politically motivated investigations" aimed at undermining opposition activities.

The government has denied cracking down on opponents of President Tayyip Erdogan and says the judiciary is independent.