Massive Istanbul Rally Demands Mayor Imamoglu’s Release/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hundreds of thousands rallied in Istanbul Saturday to demand the release of jailed Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Organized by the opposition Republican People’s Party, the protest intensified pressure on President Erdogan’s government amid growing unrest and calls for early elections.
Istanbul Protesters Demand Release of Jailed Mayor Quick Looks
- Huge crowds rally in Istanbul for Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
- Detained on corruption and terrorism charges many call political
- Republican People’s Party (CHP) organizes mass demonstration
- CHP leader Ozgur Ozel accuses Erdogan government of repression
- Nearly 1,900 people detained in related protests since March 19
- Interior Ministry confirms ongoing legal actions against demonstrators
- Imamoglu named symbolic CHP presidential nominee from jail
- CHP pushes for early national elections amid rising tensions
- Protest includes Imamoglu’s wife and Ankara mayor Mansur Yavas
- Rally remains peaceful, no arrests reported Saturday
Massive Istanbul Rally Demands Mayor Imamoglu’s Release
Deep Look
Massive Crowds in Istanbul Demand Release of Jailed Mayor Imamoglu, Call for Early Elections
ISTANBUL — In a powerful display of opposition unity, hundreds of thousands gathered in Istanbul on Saturday to demand the release of imprisoned Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a rising star in Turkish politics and a prominent challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The demonstration, organized by Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), marked the latest in a series of nationwide protests since Imamoglu’s arrest earlier this month. The peaceful rally comes amid a mounting political crisis, growing concerns over democratic backsliding, and widespread anger at the government’s crackdown on dissent.
“They’ve detained hundreds of our children, thousands of our youth… arrested hundreds of them,” said CHP leader Ozgur Ozel. “Their only goal is to intimidate and silence us.”
A Politically Charged Arrest
Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on March 19 and formally arrested on March 23 on charges of corruption and alleged links to terrorism — accusations his supporters and independent observers believe are politically motivated. His arrest comes at a critical moment as opposition forces consolidate ahead of a potential early presidential election.
The government insists that the judiciary is operating independently and denies allegations of political interference.
Despite a nationwide ban on public assembly and escalating police crackdowns, protests have continued across the country. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, nearly 1,900 people have been detained since Imamoglu’s arrest, with prosecutors seeking up to three years in prison for 74 of the detainees, according to pro-government outlets.
Symbolic Presidential Nomination From Jail
Last Sunday, just hours after being formally detained, Imamoglu was symbolically selected as the CHP’s nominee for the 2028 presidential election — though many expect the election to be called much sooner due to political pressure and public discontent.
CHP leader Ozel used Saturday’s platform to reiterate demands for Imamoglu’s immediate release and announced a national campaign to gather signatures for both his release and for calling early elections.
“In the Turkey we envision, presidential candidates will not be imprisoned,” Ozel declared to loud applause.
Peaceful but Powerful Rally
Unlike previous protests that resulted in mass detentions, Saturday’s rally unfolded without major incidents. Police maintained a distance, and no new arrests were reported.
Among the high-profile figures addressing the crowd were Dilek Imamoglu, the mayor’s wife, and Mansur Yavas, the popular mayor of Ankara and another key CHP leader. Both emphasized the growing solidarity among opposition forces and called for continued public pressure.
“We are not afraid,” Dilek Imamoglu told supporters. “We are standing up for democracy, for justice, and for the future of this country.”
National Stakes
Imamoglu’s arrest and the mass demonstrations have intensified scrutiny on President Erdogan, whose two-decade rule has been marked by increasing authoritarianism, especially following a failed coup attempt in 2016.
Once hailed for bringing economic stability and infrastructure development, Erdogan now faces mounting criticism for economic mismanagement, inflation, and a shrinking space for free expression and political opposition.
CHP’s efforts to rally the public around Imamoglu’s imprisonment could mark a turning point ahead of the next national vote — one that may define Turkey’s democratic trajectory.
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