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Protest Erupts in Istanbul Following Arrest of Mayor
ISTANBUL: In a significant development, an Istanbul court has declared seven journalists—including an AFP photographer—guilty and sentenced them to jail for their coverage of widespread protests triggered by the detention of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. Demonstrators have rallied in defiance of a protest ban, resulting in confrontations with police throughout Turkey.
The protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Imamoglu, who serves as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s primary political challenger. This crackdown has led to the detention of over 1,400 individuals, including 11 Turkish journalists.
On Tuesday, the court ordered seven journalists, amongst them AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, to remain in custody. This decision was met with sharp criticism from the Paris-based news agency. "His imprisonment is intolerable. I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the swift release of our journalist," emphasized Fabrice Fries, head of the agency, in a letter to the Turkish presidency.
The court accused Akgul, 35, and his colleagues of participating in "illegal rallies and marches." However, Fries contended that Akgul was merely present as a journalist and did not partake in the protests.
The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the ruling as "shocking." Erol Onderoglu, RSF’s representative in Turkey, remarked that it "epitomizes the alarming situation in Turkey regarding press freedoms."
‘We Can’t Speak Freely’
Mass gatherings have persisted daily, as many defy the protest prohibition that followed the March 19 arrest of Imamoglu. As tensions have escalated, clashes with security forces have become more regular across the nation.
On Sunday, Imamoglu was overwhelmingly selected as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) nominee for the 2028 presidential election. Observers note that this impending primary may have catalyzed the actions taken against him.
Despite witnessing the largest protests in Turkey since the 2013 Gezi Park uprising, Erdogan has remained unyielding, labeling the demonstrations as "street terror." "Those who incite chaos in the streets and seek to ignite this country have no future. They are on a path to nowhere," he stated on Tuesday.
In Istanbul’s Sisli district, thousands marched toward the municipal building, chanting slogans like "Government, resign!" and displaying flags inscribed with demands for Erdogan to step down. Riot police monitored the scene, while residents applauded from balconies, banging pots and pans in support.
Many participants concealed their identities with masks and scarves, fearing police retribution. A student named Nisa told AFP, "We can’t express ourselves freely, but I joined the protest to stand up for democracy."
In a separate demonstration, thousands continued to rally for the seventh consecutive night, organized by Imamoglu’s CHP in the Sarachane district, which houses the city hall previously overseen by Imamoglu since 2019.
To prepare for what appears to be a prolonged conflict, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel has initiated a boycott against major corporations he alleges have ties to the government, highlighting brands such as the coffee chain Espressolab and retailer D&R.
‘A Troubling Time for Democracy’
The response from riot police has included the use of water cannons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against protesters. The Council of Europe criticized this "disproportionate" force, while Human Rights Watch labeled the current era in Turkey a "dark time for democracy."
The United Nations has expressed concern over Turkey’s mass detentions and its broad prohibition on protests, urging the government to investigate any unlawful use of force. UN rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell stated, "Everyone detained for exercising their legitimate rights must be released immediately and unconditionally."
At 53, Imamoglu is widely considered the only politician capable of unseating Erdogan, who has held power in this NATO member for over 25 years. Despite being stripped of his office and imprisoned under corruption and terrorism allegations—which his supporters claim are politically motivated—his influence remains significant.
As of Tuesday, law enforcement had arrested 1,418 individuals for participating in what they labeled "illegal demonstrations." Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya issued a warning that there would be "no leniency" for those "terrorizing the streets." However, Ozel urged the CHP’s supporters to gather for a large rally this weekend, declaring, "Our numbers do not dwindle with arrests—if anything, we will grow."
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