Imamoglu's arrest, a blow to the Turkish opposition; Erdogan: I will not give in to protests

The Turkish political opposition called for more protests in Turkish cities this Friday due to the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, considered a political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Wednesday, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested in an early morning raid on his residence over suspected links to corruption and terrorism. Imamoglu's arrest came just days before his expected nomination as the presidential candidate of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

How did the CHP react to Imamoglu's arrest?

Imamoglu's supporters say the arrest was a politically motivated attempt to eliminate a popular opponent of Erdogan's more than two decades of rule. Presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled for 2028, but they must be held earlier so Erdogan can run again.

" I invite tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and millions of people to demonstrate peacefully, to express our democratic reaction and to exercise our constitutional rights," CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said on Friday.

Thousands of people have protested in Turkish cities since Imamoglu's arrest. Clashes between police and protesters have broken out in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. In response, authorities have announced a five-day ban on demonstrations.

"To those who say that calling people to the streets is irresponsible, I say this: it is not us who have filled these streets and squares. It is your anarchy and injustice that have brought people to the streets," opposition leader Ozel declared.

Turkish media, including the Cumhuriyet newspaper, reported that police began questioning Imamoglu on Friday afternoon. He could be held without charge for up to four days.

What was Erdogan's reaction?

On Friday, President Erdogan said in a speech that authorities "will not allow public order to be damaged" and vowed not to "give in to vandalism or street terrorism." Imamoglu's arrest is part of a months-long judicial crackdown on the Turkish opposition. According to the prosecutor's office, Imamoglu is accused of abusing his position for financial gain.

In a separate investigation, Imamoglu is accused of aiding the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organization in Turkey, the US and other countries, by allegedly forming an alliance with Kurdish groups for the Istanbul municipal elections.

Other arrests were also made, including two district mayors from Istanbul. The Turkish government has rejected accusations of politically motivated legal action against the opposition, insisting that the courts operate independently./ DW