Thousands of Turks defied a ban on public gatherings on Thursday to protest the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, accusing the government of undermining democracy. The opposition has squarely blamed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the arrest, which they describe as politically motivated.
Despite police barricades and the detention of dozens over social media posts, demonstrators gathered at municipal buildings, police stations, universities, and public squares across the country. Imamoglu, 54, a prominent political rival of Erdogan, was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group. The opposition has denounced the arrest as a “coup attempt,” sparking widespread outrage and criticism from European leaders.
The detention of the popular two-term mayor marks the culmination of a months-long legal campaign against opposition figures, which critics argue is an attempt to weaken their electoral prospects and suppress dissent. The government denies these allegations.
In an interview, Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), claimed that Erdogan fears facing Imamoglu in an election and is trying to eliminate him as a political threat. Ozel stated that any effort to block Imamoglu from running in the next presidential election would only galvanize opposition support. The CHP plans to nominate Imamoglu as its candidate during a scheduled vote on Sunday.
Ozel emphasized that Imamoglu’s potential candidacy would resonate strongly with voters, saying, “We believe Imamoglu will win. If his candidacy is blocked, we believe this will turn into much greater support.” He also vowed to remain at the Istanbul municipality headquarters until Imamoglu is released, with crowds gathering outside in solidarity.
Elections are not due until 2028, but they could be called earlier if Erdogan, 71, who has ruled Türkiye for 22 years, decides to run again. Polls show Imamoglu leading Erdogan in some scenarios.
The government has dismissed criticism of the arrest, asserting the independence of the judiciary. It has also warned against linking Erdogan or politics to Imamoglu’s detention. In response to the protests, authorities imposed a four-day ban on public gatherings and restricted access to certain social media platforms.
Police deployed water cannons and blocked roads near the police station where Imamoglu is being held, as well as in other parts of Istanbul. Imamoglu, in a statement on social media, called on members of the judiciary and Erdogan’s ruling party to oppose the injustice of his detention. “These events have gone beyond our parties or political ideals,” he wrote. “It is time to raise our voices.”
Protests have been rare in Türkiye since the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations, which were met with a harsh government crackdown. However, crowds in Istanbul, Ankara, and other cities have been chanting anti-government slogans and displaying banners of Imamoglu and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the nation’s founder, alongside Turkish flags.
“They hastily detained our mayor, whom we elected with our votes,” said Ali Izar, an opposition supporter in Istanbul. “I do not think this is a democratic practice, and I condemn it.”
The arrest also had economic repercussions, causing the Turkish lira to plummet before partially recovering. By Thursday, the lira was trading at nearly 38 to the dollar, down from 36.67 before the detention. Concerns over the erosion of the rule of law and slower rate cuts led to a decline in bank shares on the Istanbul stock exchange, prompting the central bank to raise its overnight rate.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 37 people had been detained for “provocative social media posts inciting crime and hatred” following Imamoglu’s arrest. Authorities also seized a construction company co-owned by Imamoglu, transferring control to a court, according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s office.
The majority of the 105 people arrested alongside Imamoglu were staff from the Istanbul municipality. The protests and arrests have intensified tensions in Türkiye, highlighting the deepening political divide in the country.
