On Saturday evening, Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Mayor of Istanbul, was ordered to be detained pending trial on corruption charges, sparking the largest wave of protests in over a decade in the country. As of now, more than a thousand people have been arrested, and several journalists have also been detained.
According to the Turkish Media Union Disk-Basin-Is, at least 8 journalists and photojournalists have been detained. The union condemned the government’s actions as an “attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information,” calling for the immediate release of all detained media personnel.
Imamoglu was formally arrested on Sunday, facing charges including organized crime, accepting bribes, illegal collection of personal data, and bid rigging, all of which he denies. The prosecution attempted to elevate the charges under the label of “terrorism,” but the court rejected the request. The Ministry of Interior later announced his suspension and appointed an acting mayor designated by the municipal council.
Imamoglu’s arrest is widely seen as President Erdogan’s political maneuver to eliminate potential competitors in the 2028 presidential elections. The Turkish government claims judicial independence and denies any political motives.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 1,133 demonstrators nationwide have been arrested for participating in protests, some of whom are suspected of having ties to terrorist organizations, while 123 police officers were injured in the clashes. The police also seized dangerous items including Molotov cocktails, acid, and knives.
Despite most protests being peaceful, the police in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir have resorted to using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Some protesters retaliated by throwing stones and firecrackers. Many young people are among the protesters, with many wearing masks to avoid identification.
Imamoglu urged people on social media to continue peaceful gatherings on Monday night, asking supporters to avoid clashes with the police and calling on law enforcement to show restraint and respect.
The social media platform X revealed that Turkish courts have requested the blocking of over 700 accounts involving news media, journalists, and politicians, among others. The platform is challenging these orders.
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), led by Ozgur Ozel, continues to call for peaceful protests and urges a boycott of certain pro-government businesses and media. He delivered another speech outside the city hall on Monday night, after which the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Along with Imamoglu, his key aides and two Istanbul district governors were also detained, with a total of 47 individuals arrested, while 44 others were allowed to await trial under judicial supervision.
Imamoglu was elected as the Mayor of Istanbul in 2019, ending the ruling party’s 25-year reign in the city led by Erdogan. Despite the government questioning the election results, he won again in a re-election and solidified his position in local elections last year, becoming one of Erdogan’s strongest opponents in the presidential race.
Meanwhile, another popular opposition figure, the Mayor of Ankara, is also under investigation. Authorities accuse his office of alleged misuse of public funds during the organization of 33 music events.
Facing strong government crackdown, public anger continues to simmer. A protester expressed, “We are not fighting for a politician, but to defend the democracy of the Republic of Turkey and our future.”
(This article references relevant reporting from the Associated Press)