Turkey is gripped by mass protests following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with authorities detaining over 1,133 people, including journalists, as the demonstrations enter their sixth day. İmamoğlu was arrested on March 19, 2025, on charges of corruption, including running a criminal organization, bribery, and extortion, which the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has denounced as politically motivated to block his potential candidacy in the 2028 presidential election.
The protests, described as the largest in over a decade, have seen thousands take to the streets in Istanbul, Ankara, and other major cities, defying bans on public gatherings. Reports indicate police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, with PBS News confirming the detention of over 1,133 individuals linked to the unrest.
President Erdoğan has branded the demonstrations a “movement of violence” and accused the opposition of disrupting public order. The international community, including the European Union and Amnesty International, has condemned the government’s response, labeling it a crackdown on dissent.
İmamoğlu’s arrest comes amid escalating political tensions in Turkey, where the opposition made significant gains in the 2024 local elections. His detention has sparked fears of further democratic erosion in a nation already grappling with economic turmoil and global scrutiny.
