Protests Erupt in Turkey After Imamoglu Arrest \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has triggered the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade. Accused of corruption and alleged terror ties, Imamoglu denies all charges and calls the arrest politically motivated. As protests grow nationwide, the opposition prepares for a symbolic primary to show public support.
Quick Looks
- Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu detained over corruption and terror allegations.
- Imamoglu interrogated for nine hours over two days, denying all charges.
- Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice.
- Protests erupted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and multiple other cities.
- Police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
- The government extended a ban on protests until March 26.
- Erdogan accuses the opposition of corruption and disturbing public order.
- The opposition’s presidential primary will proceed as planned on Sunday.
- Imamoglu urged citizens to safeguard ballot boxes and democratic rights.
- The arrest is widely viewed as an attempt to block Imamoglu’s 2028 presidential run.
Deep Look
The arrest of Istanbul’s popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has ignited the largest wave of protests in Turkey in over a decade, sending shockwaves across the country and escalating political tensions between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government and the opposition. Imamoglu, seen as the strongest challenger to Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election, was detained on Wednesday following a dramatic dawn raid on his residence.
Allegations and Interrogations
Imamoglu faces accusations of financial crimes and alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), charges he vehemently denies. On Friday, he was questioned for four hours on corruption allegations, followed by an additional five hours of interrogation on Saturday related to supposed terror links. Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet reported that authorities are investigating whether Imamoglu aided the PKK.
After these interrogations, he was transferred to the courthouse for further questioning by prosecutors, alongside roughly 90 others who were also detained during coordinated raids. Imamoglu has called the charges baseless and politically motivated, framing his arrest as part of a calculated effort to eliminate him from the upcoming presidential race.
Protesters Demand Justice
The mayor’s arrest has triggered mass demonstrations in Istanbul and other major cities. In front of the courthouse where Imamoglu was held, hundreds of supporters gathered behind police barricades, chanting, “Rights, law, justice!” The crowd faced a heavy police presence, including dozens of water cannon trucks and hundreds of officers deployed to prevent escalation.
The protests have grown each day since Imamoglu’s arrest, culminating in four consecutive nights of nationwide demonstrations. Citizens also gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall and marched through major streets, demanding the mayor’s release and accusing the government of silencing political opposition.
Clashes with Police
While most demonstrations remained peaceful, some escalated into confrontations. In Istanbul, protesters attempting to breach police barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct hurled flares and stones at officers, prompting police to respond with pepper spray, water cannons, and, according to witnesses, rubber bullets.
Similar scenes unfolded in Ankara and Izmir, where riot police broke up large gatherings using tear gas and forceful measures, as broadcasted by national television outlets. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that 343 people were detained during Friday night’s protests alone. He warned that authorities would not tolerate “those who seek to violate societal order and provoke chaos.”
Erdogan Responds with Accusations
In response to the growing protests, President Erdogan accused the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), of which Imamoglu is a member, of corruption and ties to terror organizations. Speaking on Saturday, Erdogan alleged that the CHP’s leadership had transformed the party “into an apparatus to absolve municipal robbers blinded by money.” He also accused the opposition of fueling public disorder and polarizing the nation.
The Istanbul governor’s office extended restrictions on public demonstrations until March 26, citing security concerns. Vehicle access to protest-prone areas was also limited, with officials claiming the measures were necessary to prevent unlawful activities.
Political Stakes: The Upcoming Primary
Imamoglu’s arrest came just days before he was expected to be officially nominated as the CHP’s presidential candidate in Sunday’s primary. Despite his detention, party leader Ozgur Ozel announced that the primary will proceed as planned, with approximately 1.5 million delegates eligible to vote.
In addition to the official primary, the CHP has called on Turkish citizens to participate in a symbolic election, with improvised ballot boxes set up across the country. The goal is to demonstrate public solidarity with Imamoglu and send a clear message to the government regarding the public’s desire for democracy and justice.
In a message posted on social media before his courthouse appearance, Imamoglu urged the public to defend the democratic process: “Don’t forget: they are very afraid of you and your democratic right to vote.”
A Larger Battle for Turkey’s Future
The arrest of Imamoglu is widely seen as an attempt by Erdogan’s government to remove one of the most popular opposition figures from the political landscape ahead of the 2028 elections. Imamoglu rose to prominence after his landslide victory in the Istanbul mayoral election in 2019, defeating Erdogan’s preferred candidate and dealing a significant blow to the ruling party.
Since then, he has been regarded as a unifying figure capable of challenging Erdogan’s two-decade grip on power. His arrest has not only galvanized opposition supporters but also drawn international attention, with critics arguing that Turkey’s judiciary is being weaponized to silence political dissent.
Imamoglu himself has described the arrest as a “coup” and accused the government of undermining democratic institutions while exacerbating Turkey’s ongoing economic crisis.
International Concerns and Domestic Unrest
Global human rights organizations and several European Union officials have expressed concern over Imamoglu’s arrest, urging the Turkish government to uphold judicial independence and democratic freedoms. The widespread protests signal deep dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian approach and suggest that public frustration is reaching a tipping point.
The last time Turkey witnessed protests of this magnitude was during the Gezi Park demonstrations in 2013. Now, once again, thousands are taking to the streets in defiance of government crackdowns.
What’s Next for Imamoglu and Turkey
As Turkey braces for Sunday’s primary and symbolic elections, the country faces an uncertain political future. Imamoglu remains in custody but continues to call for peaceful resistance and democratic action.
The opposition CHP has vowed to continue fighting for his release and to challenge what they describe as “unlawful and politically motivated repression.” Whether Erdogan’s government will escalate its crackdown or yield to mounting public pressure remains to be seen.
What is certain is that Turkey is entering a period of heightened political tension. With mass protests growing, the eyes of the world are on Istanbul, Ankara, and Turkey’s future.
Protests Erupt in Protests Erupt in Protests Erupt in
You must Register or Login to post a comment.