ISTANBUL — Turkey is currently experiencing its largest wave of protests in over a decade, as citizens rally against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The protests, now in their fourth consecutive night, were sparked by accusations of corruption and terrorism leveled against the mayor.
Imamoglu, 53, who was detained on Wednesday, has strongly denied the charges, calling them “unimaginable” and alleging that they are part of a larger smear campaign. During his police interrogation, Imamoglu stated that these accusations would “bounce back after hitting the walls in the heart of our nation.”
Protests erupted across Turkey following Imamoglu’s arrest, with demonstrators gathering outside Istanbul City Hall, chanting “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism!” and showing their support for the mayor. As tensions mounted, Imamoglu was transported to the Caglayan court, where he faced prosecutors for questioning. He is being investigated in two separate cases—one for alleged corruption and the other for purportedly “helping a terrorist organization,” a charge linked to the banned Kurdish militant group PKK.
Imamoglu, a prominent figure in Turkey’s opposition, is seen as a serious challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His arrest came just days before he was expected to be named the candidate for the main opposition CHP party in the 2028 presidential race. The decision to arrest Imamoglu has prompted widespread criticism and massive protests across the country.
Aykut Cenk, a 30-year-old protester, stated, “We are not the enemy of the state, but what is happening is unlawful.” Cenk compared the current unrest to the 2016 protests in support of Erdogan after the failed coup attempt. “We are here today to stand up for the candidate we voted for,” he added.
The protests have spread to over 55 provinces, including Diyarbakir, a major city in the Kurdish-majority southeast. Clashes between riot police and protesters have escalated in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds. Despite a ban on protests in Turkey’s largest cities, the demonstrations have continued to grow.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 343 protesters have been arrested so far, while Turkey’s Journalists Union has accused the police of deliberately targeting journalists. Numerous reporters have been injured or had their equipment damaged during the unrest.
Imamoglu, who was re-elected mayor in 2022, is facing numerous legal challenges. He is accused of “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization” and has been named in several investigations related to alleged bribery, extortion, and fraud. His defense team maintains that all the charges are unfounded.
The protests have gained significant support from various political groups, including the pro-Kurdish opposition DEM party, which has witnessed the removal of several of its elected mayors in recent months. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the crowds on Friday, claiming that 300,000 people had joined the protests in Istanbul.
The unrest has had a significant economic impact, with the Turkish lira falling sharply and the country’s financial markets facing turbulence. On Friday, the BIST 100 index dropped nearly eight percent, reflecting the political instability and growing uncertainty surrounding the situation.
As Turkey grapples with ongoing protests and political tensions, the arrest of Imamoglu continues to deepen divisions in the country, with no clear resolution in sight.
