Turkey Erupts in Protests Over Arrest of Istanbul’s Opposition Mayor
Turkey is experiencing widespread unrest as tens of thousands of citizens take to the streets to protest the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Critics view the case as a politically motivated crackdown, sparking the largest wave of demonstrations in over a decade.
Protesters gathered late Friday night, defying a warning from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who declared that Turkey would not tolerate “street terrorism.” The arrest of Imamoglu, Erdogan’s most prominent political rival, has galvanized opposition supporters and drawn massive crowds in Istanbul, Ankara, and other cities.
The protests mark the third consecutive night of demonstrations since Imamoglu’s detention. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), addressed a massive crowd in front of Istanbul City Hall, estimating that 300,000 people had joined the rally.
“This is not a CHP rally; the people here are from all parties and have come to show solidarity with Mayor Imamoglu and stand up for democracy,” Ozel declared, as the crowd responded with cheers and applause. He accused Erdogan of using the judiciary as a weapon to undermine Imamoglu and seize control of Istanbul’s municipal government.
Clashes erupted on the sidelines of the protest, with riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Two AFP correspondents reported being hit in the leg during the skirmishes. Similar confrontations occurred in Ankara and Izmir, where police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to AFP and opposition media outlet Halk TV.
Protesters in Istanbul chanted, “Don’t stay silent, or it will be you next,” while waving placards with messages such as “Don’t be afraid, the people are here!” and “Law, rights, justice.”
Necla, a 56-year-old protester wearing a headscarf, expressed her support for Imamoglu, stating, “I don’t believe in the allegations against him. There is no man as honest as him.”
Erdogan Warns Against Protests
The arrest of Imamoglu came just days before he was set to be formally nominated as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential race. The protests quickly spread to at least 40 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, according to an AFP count.
Erdogan condemned the demonstrations, declaring, “Turkey will not surrender to street terror.” He accused Ozel of “grave irresponsibility” for calling for nationwide protests, raising concerns that the opposition leader could also face legal action.
Authorities extended a protest ban to Ankara and Izmir ahead of the Istanbul rally, blocking key access routes to City Hall, including the Galata and Ataturk Bridges. On Thursday, police used rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters in Istanbul and Ankara, arresting at least 88 individuals, according to Turkish media.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 16 police officers were injured during the clashes. Additionally, 54 people were detained for online posts deemed “incitement to hatred.”
Allegations Against Imamoglu
Prosecutors are investigating Imamoglu for allegedly “aiding a terrorist organization,” referring to the banned Kurdish PKK militant group. They are also probing him and around 100 others for corruption.
The arrest has had a significant impact on Turkey’s economy, with the Turkish lira weakening and the BIST 100 stock exchange losing nearly 8% of its value on Friday.
Despite Imamoglu’s detention, the CHP has vowed to proceed with its primary on Sunday, where it will formally nominate him as its presidential candidate for 2028. The party has opened the voting process to all citizens, not just party members, urging people to “say ‘no’ to the coup attempt!”
Observers suggest that the government may attempt to block the primary to prevent Imamoglu from gaining further support. Gonul Tol of the Washington-based Middle East Institute noted, “If a large number of people show up and vote for Imamoglu, it will further legitimize him domestically and really move things in a direction that Erdogan doesn’t want.”
The protests underscore the deepening political divide in Turkey, with opposition supporters rallying behind Imamoglu as a symbol of resistance against Erdogan’s government. The coming days will be critical in determining the trajectory of Turkey’s political landscape.
