ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Turkey is grappling with widespread protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, as demonstrations entered their third consecutive day on Friday. Thousands of people took to the streets in Istanbul and other cities, defying a government-imposed ban on political gatherings.
The protests erupted after Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and a potential rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 presidential elections, was detained early Wednesday. Authorities accuse him of corruption and links to terrorist organizations, charges Imamoglu vehemently denies.
In a speech to supporters, Erdogan condemned the protests, referring to them as “street terror.” He warned that his government would take strict action against those involved, emphasizing that the unrest would not be tolerated. “An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is being exploited to stir unrest,” Erdogan said, adding that authorities would not let “opportunists bring chaos to Türkiye.”
Crackdown and Arrests: Over 100 Detained
Imamoglu’s arrest has sparked a wave of detentions across Turkey. In addition to the mayor, more than 100 people—including journalists, business figures, and political leaders—have been arrested in connection to the case. The Turkish Interior Ministry has confirmed that at least 88 protesters were detained by Thursday, and another 54 were arrested for online posts deemed “incitement to hatred.”
The government responded to the demonstrations by imposing a four-day ban on political gatherings in Istanbul, extending the ban to Ankara and Izmir as the protests spread across 32 provinces.
Opposition Rallies Behind Imamoglu
Despite the government’s crackdown, protests continued to grow. In Istanbul, opposition leader Ozgur Ozel claimed that over 300,000 people had gathered in defiance of road and bridge closures, demanding the release of Imamoglu. Many protesters held signs reading “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Rights, law, justice,” echoing the opposition’s call for a fair political system.
Imamoglu, speaking from police custody, vowed to challenge the charges against him. He also dismissed a controversial decision by Istanbul University to invalidate his diploma, which could disqualify him from running for president in the future.
The Growing Political Tensions
Imamoglu’s arrest has intensified concerns about the future of democracy in Turkey, with many seeing it as a politically motivated attempt to remove a significant challenger to Erdogan’s rule. The CHP (Republican People’s Party), to which Imamoglu belongs, has condemned the arrest as a “coup against democracy” and called for peaceful demonstrations to continue.
Imamoglu’s political influence has been a thorn in Erdogan’s side, especially since his 2019 victory in the Istanbul mayoral election, which marked a significant setback for Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Imamoglu’s re-election in 2024 further solidified his status as a major political figure, prompting concerns that he could challenge Erdogan in the 2028 presidential race.
Fears of Further Crackdowns
The crackdown on dissent has raised alarms about the government’s growing authoritarian tendencies, especially ahead of the upcoming national elections. Security forces have used rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse protesters in Istanbul, while clashes have been reported in other cities like Izmir and Ankara.
Imamoglu’s arrest comes at a time when Erdogan is constitutionally barred from running for re-election in 2028, fueling speculation that the government is attempting to neutralize potential threats to its power. Analysts believe the ongoing developments may signal a broader campaign to suppress opposition figures ahead of the vote.
Opposition’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the arrest, the CHP has announced plans to hold a symbolic national election, setting up ballot boxes across the country to gauge public support. The party is also expected to officially nominate Imamoglu for the presidency on Sunday, with 1.5 million party members set to vote.
As protests continue to escalate, Turkey remains on edge, with the government pledging to take firm action against demonstrators in the days to come.
