A Turkish court has jailed 18 Istanbul municipality officials on corruption charges

A Turkish court has ordered the jailing of 18 Istanbul municipality employees in a corruption investigation targeting Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a political rival of President Erdogan. Imamoglu, jailed since March, is accused of corruption and supporting a terrorist group, charges he denies. His arrest sparked massive protests and raised questions about the independence of Turkey's judiciary. Of those detained, 34 were released with judicial restrictions.