Protests are escalating in Turkey

Despite a ban on demonstrations in Turkey, protests are intensifying following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on charges of corruption and aiding terrorist groups. Along with İmamoğlu, more than a hundred people, including politicians, journalists and businessmen, have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Protests in Istanbul

Demonstrations have been taking place not only in Istanbul and Ankara but also in the cities of Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Çanakkale, Eskişehir, Konya and Edirne since March 19.

Imamoğlu posted a video on his X page from the Saraçhane area, showing a large crowd. His arrest came just days before he was to be nominated as the opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) presidential candidate in the 2028 elections.

Opposition and protests

CHP leader Özgür Özel said that about 300,000 people took to the streets in Istanbul. He said it was not just a rally by one party, but an event where people from all political forces gathered to show solidarity with Imamoğlu and defend democracy.

Özel accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of "weaponizing the judiciary" and said his actions had fueled the public outcry. Despite his calls to avoid violence and to avoid confrontations with police, the demonstrations have been marred by unrest. Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets.

Government response to the protests

Police have also used tear gas and water cannons against protesters in Ankara and Izmir.

^{Demonstrators clash with police in Istanbul on Friday}
President Erdogan condemned the wave of protests and said that measures would be taken against "vandalism" and "street terrorism". He stressed that the government would take all necessary measures to maintain public order. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikoy reported that 343 people had been arrested during the protests.

Pressure on the opposition and court case

The arrests of Imamoglu and his supporters came against the backdrop of increased pressure on the opposition in Turkey. In recent months, there has been a large-scale crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists and artists.

The CHP believes the arrests are politically motivated. However, the Justice Ministry has denied that Erdogan is behind the arrests, insisting that the judiciary is independent.

Election and opposition plans

Imamoğlu won a second term as Istanbul mayor in local elections last year. This was the first time since Erdogan came to power that his party has lost an election.

The CHP plans to nominate a presidential candidate on Sunday, with Imamoğlu as the sole candidate. The party is also calling on citizens to participate in symbolic elections and is planning to set up ballot boxes in districts across Turkey.

The current situation in Turkey is further exacerbating tensions between the opposition and the government. Imamoğlu’s arrest and the mass protests mark a new phase in the country’s political life. Although Erdogan's government is cracking down, the opposition and the public continue to fight back against these moves. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”