Protests intensified across Turkey on Friday following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, with demonstrators clashing with police in major cities, including Izmir, Istanbul, and Ankara. Thousands took to the streets despite bans on public demonstrations, highlighting growing unrest over what many see as politically motivated charges against the opposition leader.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office imposed a four-day protest ban, while Ankara and Izmir followed suit with five-day bans as citizens defied orders to express their outrage. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 53 individuals were detained overnight, and 16 police officers sustained injuries during violent confrontations.
The most intense clashes occurred when police blocked protesters from entering Taksim Square, a popular district in Istanbul. Demonstrations also erupted at universities, where students and faculty voiced their opposition to Imamoglu’s arrest.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the protests as “theatrics,” downplaying their significance. “We have neither the time to waste on pointless debates nor stacks of money to recklessly throw around,” Erdogan stated, criticizing the opposition party, the CHP.
Ozgur Ozel, the leader of CHP, responded by calling for continued demonstrations. “Hey Erdogan, you’re most scared of the streets. We are now on the streets, in squares. Continue to be afraid,” Ozel declared, vowing to keep pressure on the government.
Turkish officials condemned Ozel’s statements, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc labeling them “irresponsible.” Tunc argued that while protests are a fundamental right, calling for demonstrations over an active legal case is “illegal and unacceptable.”
Imamoglu was arrested Wednesday alongside 105 municipal employees, facing charges of corruption, racketeering, and abetting the Kurdish separatist group PKK. His arrest has raised concerns about political interference in Turkey’s judicial system, with critics accusing Erdogan of eliminating a key rival ahead of the next election.
Imamoglu was the sole candidate for CHP’s presidential nomination, set to be formalized on Sunday. Polls showed him as a leading contender against Erdogan, whose declining popularity has been driven by economic struggles. Despite legal hurdles, CHP has vowed to support Imamoglu’s candidacy, even if he remains behind bars.
Erdogan has taken measures to suppress dissent, including restricting social media access and enforcing demonstration bans. However, opposition leaders believe these actions will backfire. Ozel stated in a Reuters interview that blocking Imamoglu’s candidacy would only strengthen support for the opposition.
“We will win with Imamoglu. We will win easily. If Imamoglu is barred, we will certainly win,” Ozel asserted, reaffirming the party’s commitment to backing the imprisoned mayor.
