Turkish authorities arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President @RTErdogan, along with “around 100 others connected to the mayor,” as reported by @CNN.

This happens just days before the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was scheduled to hold a primary election. Imamoglu was expected to be chosen as its presidential candidate, as reported by @CNN.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the detention “a coup attempt against our next president,” as reported by @CNN. Video from @CNN Turk showed police wearing riot gear and dozens of security vehicles outside Imamoglu’s home.

“İmamoğlu’s arrest is no coincidence. He is Erdoğan’s political nemesis, and his likely candidacy to run against him for the presidency has been weighing on Erdoğan’s mind,” @SinanCiddi, nonresident senior fellow on Turkey at the @FDD, told @FoxNews.