Istanbul: Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Turkey for a seventh consecutive night, protesting the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges.
More than 1,400 people, including students, journalists, and lawyers, have been detained since the protests began last Wednesday.
The arrest of Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has drawn international criticism, with rights groups and the UN condemning both the detentions and the police response. Imamoglu has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, a claim denied by the Turkish government.
Speaking at a Ramadan fast-breaking event in Ankara, President Erdogan urged patience, stating that those seeking to create chaos in the country “have nowhere to go” and warning that the path taken by protesters leads to “a dead end.”
Despite bans on demonstrations and road closures imposed by Istanbul authorities, thousands of students gathered in Maçka Park on Tuesday, the 25th of March, before marching through the city, calling for the government to resign. Many demonstrators wore scarves or masks, fearing identification by authorities.
The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), announced that Tuesday’s rally outside Istanbul City Hall would be the last of its nightly protests. However, the party is organizing a large demonstration in Istanbul on Saturday to demand early elections and denounce the mayor’s arrest.
“Are you ready for a big rally in a large square in Istanbul on Saturday?” Ozgur Ozel told crowds.
Since the protests began, Turkey’s interior minister reported that 1,418 demonstrators have been detained, with nearly 1,000 still in custody. Officials have vowed to take strict measures against those accused of “terrorizing the streets” and attacking police.
Meanwhile, journalists covering the protests have also faced detentions. On Tuesday, seven reporters, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgül, appeared in court. AFP chairman Fabrice Fries condemned Akgül’s arrest, stating that he was simply documenting the demonstrations.
The US has voiced concerns over the crackdown, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussing the issue in a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Imamoglu remains one of Erdogan’s strongest political opponents. While his arrest does not disqualify him from running for president, a conviction could bar him from candidacy. Erdogan’s current term expires in 2028, but speculation continues over whether he might push for early elections or constitutional changes to extend his rule.
Turkey’s Ministry of Justice has rejected claims that Erdogan influenced the arrests, insisting on the independence of the judiciary.
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