Turkey Arrests Journalists Amid Protests Over Istanbul Mayor

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Turkey Arrests Journalists Amid Protests Over Istanbul Mayor \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Turkish authorities arrested journalists and protesters following the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. Protests erupted nationwide, with clashes between demonstrators and police intensifying. Erdogan warns opposition leaders as Turkey faces its largest protests in a decade.

Turkey Protest Crackdown Quick Looks

Turkish authorities arrested at least eight journalists in Monday raids.
The arrests follow protests over Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s jailing.
Imamoglu was jailed on corruption charges, sparking nationwide demonstrations.
More than 1,100 protesters detained; 123 police officers injured.
Interior Minister cites links to criminal and terrorist organizations among detainees.
Police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets on protesters.
Imamoglu urged peaceful protests and called for kindness from police.
Erdogan blames opposition leader Ozgur Ozel for provoking unrest.
Ozel called for boycotts of pro-government companies and live trial broadcasts.
Imamoglu endorsed as CHP’s 2028 presidential candidate during primary elections.
47 allies, including two Istanbul district mayors, also jailed pending trial.
Ankara’s mayor’s office faces scrutiny over alleged public fund misuse.
Protesters rally for democratic freedoms, not just political figures.
Clashes continue outside Istanbul city hall, with police crackdowns intensifying.
Erdogan vows political and legal accountability for ongoing protests.

Deep Look

Turkey is experiencing its largest wave of protests in more than a decade following the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On Monday, the crackdown intensified as authorities arrested several journalists and detained over 1,100 protesters. The escalating unrest has drawn global attention to concerns over Turkey’s democracy and press freedom.

The Disk-Basin-Is media workers’ union reported that at least eight journalists and photojournalists were detained in what it described as an “attack on press freedoms and the people’s right to learn the truth.” The union demanded their immediate release. Meanwhile, social media platform X confirmed that it was contesting multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block over 700 accounts, including those belonging to journalists, media outlets, and political figures.

Imamoglu’s Arrest Sparks Nationwide Protests

Imamoglu was formally arrested on Sunday and jailed pending trial on accusations of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, bid-rigging, and illegally recording personal data. He has denied all charges, calling the prosecution politically motivated. His arrest followed a Wednesday raid at his home and immediately ignited mass demonstrations.

Protests have erupted in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with hundreds of thousands rallying in the streets. While the protests have been largely peaceful, clashes have occurred, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Protesters responded with stones, fireworks, and flares, despite calls from Imamoglu and other leaders to avoid violence.

In a social media post, Imamoglu urged continued peaceful rallies, stating: “I’m working hard, I will work even harder. Where I am does not matter.” He called on the youth to refrain from confrontations and asked police officers to show restraint.

Erdogan’s Response and Political Tensions

President Erdogan has dismissed allegations of political interference, accusing opposition leader Ozgur Ozel of inciting unrest. In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan warned: “Stop disturbing our citizens’ peace with provocations. If you have the courage, account for the corruption, theft, bribes taken, and irregularities committed.”

Erdogan further promised political accountability in parliament and legal accountability in court, signaling a sustained hardline stance against both the opposition and demonstrators.

Mass Arrests and Continued Crackdowns

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 1,133 protesters have been detained since Imamoglu’s arrest. The ministry claims that some detainees have connections to terrorist organizations or criminal backgrounds, and also reported confiscating acid, firebombs, and knives from certain protest sites.

Yerlikaya condemned what he described as “vile insults” against Erdogan and his late mother, promising that such behavior would not be tolerated. On Monday alone, 43 more protesters were detained, while police continued forceful interventions in daily demonstrations outside Istanbul’s city hall.

Imamoglu’s Political Endorsement and Party Support

Despite being jailed, Imamoglu remains a central figure in Turkish politics. Over the weekend, 1.7 million members of his party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), participated in primary elections endorsing Imamoglu as their candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Millions of non-members also cast “solidarity votes,” reflecting broad public support.

Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other individuals, including two Istanbul district mayors and a key aide, were jailed pending trial. One of these district mayors has already been replaced by a government appointee, deepening concerns about political interference.

Standoff Between Protesters and Police

Tensions outside Istanbul’s city hall remain high, with police frequently clashing with demonstrators following opposition leader Ozgur Ozel’s daily addresses. Ozel has called on the public to boycott pro-government companies and television stations and has challenged Erdogan to broadcast Imamoglu’s trial live on state television.

Protesters of all ages and backgrounds have expressed frustration with the government’s actions, many stating that their participation is about defending democratic principles rather than supporting individual politicians.

“There is a coup against our democracy right now,” said one elderly demonstrator. A young protester added, “I’m here for my rights, not for a political figure.”

Ankara Mayor Also Under Investigation

Authorities are now investigating the office of Ankara’s mayor, another popular opposition figure, over alleged misuse of public funds related to organizing 33 concerts, the municipality confirmed Monday. The move is seen by some as part of a broader crackdown on opposition-led municipalities.

Background: Imamoglu’s Rise and Political Threat

Imamoglu first won the Istanbul mayoral election in March 2019, dealing a significant blow to Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled Turkey’s largest city for 25 years. After AKP challenged the election results, a second vote was held — and Imamoglu won again by an even larger margin. His re-election last year solidified his standing as Erdogan’s top political challenger.

Outlook: Democracy at a Crossroads

As demonstrations continue for a sixth straight night, Turkey finds itself at a pivotal moment. Protesters are increasingly vocal in their demands for democratic reforms and judicial independence, while the government continues to tighten its grip.

A decision on Imamoglu’s trial, combined with the Erdogan administration’s response to these growing protests, will have lasting impacts on Turkey’s political landscape in the years leading to the 2028 presidential election.