
Flash News
Poll/ DP ranks first in Shkodra
Bullets fired at car, Albanian injured in Switzerland
The hotel was built without a permit, the Gjirokastra Prosecutor's Office seizes the building, the owner is imprisoned
Power outages in Spain and Portugal, services 'paralyzed'
Richard Grenell reacts to the news reprinted by Politiko: It is false!
Turkish authorities have arrested nearly 1,500 people in the largest anti-government protests in more than a decade, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on March 25. Protests erupted on March 19 after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main political rival of authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on corruption charges that his supporters consider politically motivated.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X - formerly Twitter - on March 25 that 1,418 people have so far been detained in "illegal demonstrations", of which nearly 1,000 are still in custody.
He also condemned those who, according to him, had "offended" members of Erdogan's family.
The most serious clashes between protesters and police - who used tear gas and rubber bullets - took place near Saraçana Square, close to the city administration. However, the protests observed by Radio Free Europe in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of Istanbul, have taken place peacefully.
Radio Free Europe spoke to some protesters in Kadikoy, where young people with tattoos marched side by side with elderly people with sticks, while demonstrators held portraits of the Imamoglu in their hands.
A woman who was marching with the Turkish flag in her hand, who presented herself as Merve, said the protest "is not just about the arrest of Imamoglu".
"For many years, this country has been mistreated, corruption has been high and human rights have been violated. We are protesting against this," Merve, 44, told Radio Free Europe.
Imamoglu, 54, was arrested at his home on the morning of March 19 along with dozens of others as part of a corruption investigation.
On March 23, he was elected the candidate of the opposition CHP (Republican People's Party) party for the presidential elections scheduled in Turkey for 2028.
Protests against his arrest have continued in many cities in Turkey throughout the week, despite calls from the authorities.
Yerlikaya has accused some protesters of "terrorizing" the streets.
During the protests in Kadikoy on March 23, the atmosphere was much calmer than Yerlikaya's description, with small business owners coming out to greet passing protesters. A souvenir shop had placed Imamoglu's photograph in front of the store.
Murati, a 20-year-old student, pointed out that Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003, is the only leader he has known.
"Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades. I don't want this anymore, I want democracy in my country," Murati said.
Erdogan said on March 24 that protests over the imprisonment of Imamoglu, who was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019, have turned into a "movement of violence" and that the authorities will hold the CHP party responsible for material damage and injuries to police officers.
CHP flags were present everywhere in Kadikoy, where a large cloth portrait of Imamoglu was also hung in the central square.
The trendy neighborhood is popular among secular residents who frequent bars and cafes.
Meanwhile, Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has strong support from the more religious segments of Turkish society.
Mahmut, a taxi driver in Kadıj who supports Erdogan, told Radio Free Europe that he thinks the opposition is not credible.
"They are corrupt. They only know how to give beautiful speeches and deceive people. We should not protect them," he said.
The current anti-government protests are the largest since 2013, when demonstrations initially against plans to rebuild Gezi Park in Istanbul turned into nationwide protests.
Those protests were severely suppressed by the authorities, human rights organizations say 11 people were killed and more than 8,000 injured.
As evening approached on March 23 in Kadikoy, the sound of pots banging from balconies in support of Istanbul's imprisoned mayor echoed in the air./REL
Latest news


Morning Post/ In 2 lines: What mattered yesterday in Albania
2025-04-29 07:20:17
Poll/ DP ranks first in Shkodra
2025-04-28 22:55:39
Analyst: Edi Rama is an ordinary fraudster
2025-04-28 22:30:06

Immigrant in Sweden accuses CEC of violating the secrecy of his vote
2025-04-28 21:44:30


Bullets fired at car, Albanian injured in Switzerland
2025-04-28 21:02:07
Albanian caught with 2 million euros of cocaine in his car
2025-04-28 20:45:20

Why does Rama threaten citizens who complain about corruption?
2025-04-28 20:17:54

Gjekmarkaj meeting with residents in Tale 2: We win 5:2 in the Lezha region
2025-04-28 19:55:24
CEC tests PEI devices to be used on May 11
2025-04-28 19:36:24


"Enough is enough", Rama is distracted by young people during the meeting
2025-04-28 19:12:28
"La Stampa": 16 migrants have "disappeared" from the Gjadri camp
2025-04-28 18:55:34


A person's eyes can tell if they have 'mental problems'
2025-04-28 18:05:09


Cardiovascular diseases, 8% of patients at risk for cardiac arrest
2025-04-28 17:19:40
Xhaferri: The next Prime Minister from the DP will be for all citizens
2025-04-28 17:11:44



Children with developmental and speech delays due to "cellphone in hand"
2025-04-28 16:22:51
Power outages in Spain and Portugal, services 'paralyzed'
2025-04-28 16:14:38

Richard Grenell reacts to the news reprinted by Politiko: It is false!
2025-04-28 15:52:47

Foods with vitamin A, here's why they are vital for eye protection
2025-04-28 15:32:34




Kosovo issues arrest warrant for Radočić for war crimes
2025-04-28 14:42:59

Putin declares ceasefire in Ukraine!
2025-04-28 14:12:44


"Partizani" file, GJKKO rejects the request for the judge's disqualification
2025-04-28 13:35:08
Election of the new Pope/ Conclave to meet on May 7
2025-04-28 13:28:50

Cross-border terrorism? India and Pakistan continue to exchange fire in Kashmir
2025-04-28 13:01:20
Arbjan Mazniku is being questioned by the Tirana Prosecution Office
2025-04-28 12:37:37
Video/ Tragic in Turkey, 3 people lose their lives after landslide
2025-04-28 12:22:54
The Pope of humane values who inspires hope among Albanians
2025-04-28 12:21:48
2200 cannabis plants and 578 seedlings seized in Vau e Dejës
2025-04-28 12:09:51
Quarrel between son-in-law and mother-in-law in Fier, police intervene
2025-04-28 12:01:28
The opposition's trap with lobbying, and the pit where Rama's media 'heads' sank
2025-04-28 11:58:31


3 cannabis plantations discovered in Belgium, 5 Albanians arrested
2025-04-28 11:21:01

Two cars collide on the Lezhë-Manati axis, 5 injured
2025-04-28 11:02:08
Trump thinks Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea
2025-04-28 10:47:43
Crossing the line? DW: Conservative Catholics against blessing for all
2025-04-28 10:38:58


Meta calls on Albanians: Vote no. 1! Great Albania is very close
2025-04-28 10:01:03
Photo/ This is the 58-year-old man who was executed with three bullets in Vlora
2025-04-28 09:44:12

Trump doubts Putin's desire for peace
2025-04-28 09:08:27
Defrauding citizens with fake banking messages, 23-year-old arrested in Tirana
2025-04-28 08:48:39
Border controls between Albania and Kosovo are lifted
2025-04-28 08:33:30


EU pulls out US academics after Trump freezes funding
2025-04-28 07:33:30

Morning Post/ In 2 lines: What mattered yesterday in Albania
2025-04-28 07:10:22









Collision between three vehicles in Lushnja, four injured
2025-04-27 18:48:40
Accident on the Lushnja bypass, "Range Rover" crashes and catches fire
2025-04-27 18:29:38

5 small habits that can change your life
2025-04-27 17:43:38

Will Pope Francis' successor be a Hungarian?
2025-04-27 16:37:36





Two Albanians arrested in Germany, one wanted in two countries
2025-04-27 14:51:03
From sea salt to beer, discover the most dangerous foods for our health
2025-04-27 14:34:30


Two charged with allegedly raping former DP MP's son in Lundë
2025-04-27 13:29:21