Turkish police have apprehended 343 individuals during night-time demonstrations in multiple cities in opposition to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, as reported by The Cradle. The Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that protests erupted across the nation, including in Istanbul and Ankara, resulting in the detainment of individuals to prevent the disruption of public order. Authorities have emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards chaos and provocation.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP), the political party to which Imamoglu belongs, condemned the detentions as politically motivated and urged supporters to engage in lawful demonstrations. These protests mark the largest display of civil unrest in Turkey since the widespread protests in 2013 over the destruction of Istanbul’s Gezi Park, as reported by Kurdistan 24.
Imamoglu’s detention on terrorism and corruption charges on March 19 sparked the demonstrations. The mayor vehemently denied the accusations during a counter-terrorism interrogation, expressing shock at the slanderous allegations. Imamoglu, a prominent rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was poised to participate in his party’s presidential primary and potentially secure the candidacy for the upcoming 2028 presidential elections.
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has leveled various charges against Imamoglu, including involvement in criminal activities, corruption, bribery, and collaboration with outlawed groups. The arrest came shortly after Istanbul University invalidated his diploma, rendering him ineligible to run for office according to Turkish law.
In response to the protests, the Turkish government has cracked down on social media users deemed responsible for inciting unrest. Dozens of individuals have been detained for posting provocative content that instigates crime and hatred. The Interior Minister of Turkey, Ali Yerlikaya, has confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend additional suspects while imposing restrictions on certain social media platforms.