Thousands join march in Turkiye’s Istanbul to protest mayor’s arrest

In protest of the city’s arrested mayor, thousands of protesters marched in Istanbul to show their support for the city’s arrested mayor, defying Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan’s warning that the country would crack down on “street terror.”

Demonstrators demonstrated in Turkiye’s commercial hub on Friday for the third day in a row to show their support for Erdogan’s principal political rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained on Wednesday just before he was scheduled to announce his 2028 presidential campaign.

More than 300,000 people have joined protests in Istanbul, according to opposition leader Ozgur Ozel.

The CHP leader claimed that protesters had gathered in several locations across the nation’s largest city because of the road and bridge closures, which prevented people from all gathering in one place, claiming that there were “300, 000 people” in front of City Hall.

The mayor was detained early on Wednesday because of alleged “terror” and corruption connections. Other well-known figures, including businesspeople and journalists, were also taken into custody. The government put a four-day ban on political demonstrations after the detentions.

Imamoglu’s diploma was invalidated one day after the arrests, effectively preventing him from running for president under the Turkish Constitution.

Imamoglu threatened to challenge Istanbul University’s decision.

Erdogan claimed on Friday that the government would not tolerate street demonstrations and that Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) had links to “terror” organizations and corruption.

“The Istanbul anticorruption operation is being used as a justification for the unrest in our streets. Erdogan said, “We will not allow a small number of opportunists to cause unrest in Turkiye to protect their plundering schemes.

Imamoglu’s arrest was seen by critics of the government as an attempt to oust Erdogan from Turkiye’s upcoming national election.

Officials in the government of Turkiye disputed claims that opposition law enforcement actions were politically motivated and argued that the country’s courts were independent.

According to Aksel Zaimovic, a reporter from Istanbul, “many university students” were present at the demonstration outside Istanbul’s municipal building.

They claim they are protesting Imamoglu’s arrest and Istanbul University’s decision to revoke his diploma, he said.

Zaimovic added that protesters had complained that they were merely campaigning to “send a message about systemic injustice” in Turkish society.

Many people believe that these most recent developments are tarnishing their ability to choose a representative.

According to an AFP news agency count, protests over Imamoglu’s arrest started in Istanbul on Wednesday and quickly spread to 32 of the country’s 81 provinces.

His arrest was described as a “coup,” according to the CHP, the country’s main opposition party that planned to field Imamoglu as president on Sunday.

“Be silent, no one!” Otherwise, protesters yelled, “They’ll come for you.” Many people carried placards with the words “Rights, law, justice” and “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” out loud.

At least 88 protesters have been detained since the protests started, according to Turkish media, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya claiming 16 police officers have been hurt.

Additionally, according to him, police have detained another 54 people for “incitement to hatred” posted online.