Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul for a third consecutive night on Friday, protesting the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The protests defied a stern warning from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who vowed to crack down on what he called “street terror.”
Imamoglu, a key political rival to Erdogan and a leading opposition figure, was arrested on Wednesday, just days before he was expected to be formally announced as a candidate for Turkiye’s 2028 presidential election. His detention has triggered nationwide unrest, with protests erupting in at least 32 of Turkiye’s 81 provinces, according to an AFP report.
Opposition Condemns Arrest as a “Coup”
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which plans to nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate, denounced his arrest as a political attack. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel urged supporters to take to the streets in a show of solidarity. In response, at least 10,000 people gathered in Istanbul, marching towards City Hall, chanting slogans such as “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Rights, law, justice.”
Authorities attempted to control the demonstrations by closing key access points to the City Hall area, including Galata Bridge and Ataturk Bridge. The protest ban was also extended to Ankara and Izmir, further fueling tensions.
Erdogan’s Crackdown on Protests
In a strongly worded statement, Erdogan warned opposition leaders that protests would not be tolerated. “Turkiye will not surrender to street terror,” he declared. His government labeled the protests “unlawful,” and security forces responded by dispersing demonstrators with rubber bullets and tear gas, particularly in Istanbul and Ankara. At least 88 protesters were arrested, and 16 police officers were injured in clashes, according to Turkish media reports. Additionally, authorities detained 54 individuals for allegedly posting content online that incited hatred.
Legal Charges Against Imamoglu
Imamoglu and six others are being investigated for allegedly aiding the banned Kurdish militant group PKK. He is also implicated in a corruption probe involving approximately 100 suspects. Investigators began questioning Imamoglu on Friday, with reports indicating that all suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.
Despite his detention, the CHP has vowed to proceed with its primary election, during which Imamoglu is expected to be officially declared as its 2028 presidential candidate. The party announced that voting would be open to the public rather than limited to party members, urging citizens to “say ‘no’ to the coup attempt.”
Potential Government Interference
Political analysts suggest the Turkish government may attempt to block the primary vote to prevent further demonstrations of public support for Imamoglu. “If a large number of people vote for Imamoglu, it will further legitimize him domestically,” said Gonul Tol, head of the Turkish Studies Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington.
Meanwhile, restrictions on social media and internet access, imposed after Imamoglu’s arrest, were lifted early Friday, according to internet access monitor EngelliWeb. However, tensions remain high as the opposition continues its push for Imamoglu’s release and broader democratic reforms.
