Protests Erupt in Turkey Following Arrest of Opposition Mayor
Istanbul, Turkey — A massive wave of demonstrations has swept across Turkey as hundreds of thousands of citizens protest the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Many critics argue that the arrest is politically motivated.
Protests began late Friday evening, defying warnings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the country would not tolerate what he termed "street terrorism." This marks the third consecutive night of public outcry against Imamoglu’s detainment, leading to the largest demonstrations in over a decade.
Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the CHP (Republican People’s Party), which instigated the nationwide protests, addressed a substantial crowd outside Istanbul City Hall. "We have 300,000 people here today," he stated emphatically. "This is not just a CHP rally; people from various parties have come together to show their support for Mayor Imamoglu and to advocate for democracy." The crowd responded with cheers and applause.
Ozel accused Erdogan of manipulating the judicial system to undermine Imamoglu, asserting, "He wants to seize this building, but we will not allow a government-appointed trustee to take over!"
As he spoke, confrontations erupted on the outskirts of the protest, with riot police deploying tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving two AFP reporters injured in the leg from the incidents. Clashes were also reported in Ankara and Izmir, where police used water cannons and tear gas against the demonstrators.
In Istanbul, protesters chanted, "Don’t stay silent, or you could be next," as they gathered at sunset, brandishing signs that read, "Fear not, the people are here!" and "Law, rights, justice." 56-year-old Necla, donning a headscarf, voiced her mistrust of the allegations against Imamoglu. "He is the most honest person I know," she told AFP, reflecting the sentiment of many in the crowd.
Protests Denounced by Erdogan
Imamoglu’s arrest, which comes just days before he was expected to be officially named the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election, has ignited protests across at least 40 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, as counted by AFP.
While Ozel called for solidarity, Erdogan declared, "Turkey will not bow to street terrorism," dismissing the protests as a "dead end." He criticized Ozel for what he termed "grave irresponsibility," hinting that the opposition leader might also face legal repercussions.
In light of the protests, authorities extended a ban on demonstrations in Ankara and Izmir. Ahead of the Istanbul rally, key routes to City Hall, including Galata and Ataturk Bridges, were blocked.
On Thursday, law enforcement had already turned to rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters in both Istanbul and Ankara, leading to the arrest of at least 88 demonstrators, as reported by Turkish media. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned that 16 police officers sustained injuries during these clashes. Moreover, 54 individuals were detained for allegedly inciting hatred online.
Investigations into Imamoglu have revealed that prosecutors are looking into charges of "aiding a terrorist organization" — specifically, the banned Kurdish PKK — and potential corruption affecting Imamoglu and approximately 100 other associates.
Economic Consequences
The actions against Imamoglu have severely impacted Turkey’s economy, with the national currency, the lira, experiencing a significant decline in response to the unrest. The BIST 100 stock exchange fell nearly eight percent shortly before 1400 GMT on Friday.
Despite the political turmoil and Imamoglu’s continued detention, the CHP remains committed to proceeding with its primary election on Sunday, where it intends to officially nominate him as its candidate for the presidential race. The party announced that anyone wishing to vote would be allowed to participate, encouraging the public to "come to the ballot box and say ‘no’ to this coup attempt!"
Observers speculate that the government might attempt to obstruct the primary to minimize support for Imamoglu. Gonul Tol from the Middle East Institute noted, "If numerous individuals participate and back Imamoglu, it will solidify his legitimacy in Turkey and steer things in a direction that Erdogan would prefer to avoid."
