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Massive protests after Imamoglu's arrest, Turkish government warns opposition

Politiko 2025-03-21 15:28:25

Massive protests after Imamoglu's arrest, Turkish government warns

The Turkish government has warned the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) against calls for protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. His arrest on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist group has sparked a wave of backlash across the country.

Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, stated that 53 people were arrested and 16 police officers were injured during the protests that have included university campuses and the Istanbul municipality, as well as other areas across the country.

The opposition CHP party has accused the government of political bias following Imamoglu's arrest, calling for legal and mass protests in his support. CHP leader Özgür Özel has hit back at President Erdogan's criticism, saying "the roads are his biggest fear."

On the other hand, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has warned that calls for protests are illegal, underlining that justice should decide Imamoglu's fate, not the streets.

International reactions and protests across the country

Imamoglu's arrest has been strongly condemned by European leaders, who see it as a political move to rein in a strong rival of President Erdogan, who has emerged ahead of him in some polls. Erdogan, meanwhile, has described the protests as "theatrical" and an attempt to divert attention from the opposition's internal problems.

Protests have engulfed the country's major cities, including Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul, where police have set up barricades to prevent mass gatherings. For four consecutive days, authorities have banned protests, creating tensions and clashes between citizens and security forces.

Presidential candidate and political challenge

Imamoglu's arrest has come at a critical moment for the opposition, as the CHP was expected to announce its candidacy for the 2028 presidential elections. Meanwhile, many of his supporters have demanded more concrete actions from the party and sustainable organization on the ground.

President Erdogan has hinted that he may call early elections to avoid the two-term limit if he decides to run again. While the situation remains tense, the opposition vows not to back down from the path of protests, calling this a battle for democracy and justice in the country.

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