Mass Protests Erupt in Turkey Following Arrest of Opposition Mayor Imamoglu
Hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Istanbul late Friday, March 21, to protest the arrest of the city's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The demonstrations defied a warning from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey would not tolerate street terrorism. This marked the third consecutive night of protests against Imamoglu's arrest, which has become the largest street demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade.
Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, head of the Republican People's Party (CHP) that organized the nationwide protests, addressed the substantial crowd in front of Istanbul City Hall. He claimed that around 300,000 people participated in the demonstration, emphasizing that this was not just a party rally but a collective stand from citizens across all political affiliations, uniting in support of Imamoglu and democracy.
Ozel accused Erdogan of using the judiciary as a tool to intimidate Imamoglu and seize control of City Hall, asserting, "We won’t hand it over to a government-appointed trustee." As clashes began on the edges of the protest, riot police reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
The demonstrators chanted, "Don’t stay silent or it will be you next," as they waved placards reading phrases such as, "Don’t be afraid, the people are here," and, "Law, Rights, Justice." Participating in the protests was Necla, a 56-year-old woman wearing a headscarf, who expressed her disbelief in the allegations against Imamoglu, stating, "There is no man as honest as him."
According to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 97 protesters were arrested during the Friday demonstrations. Imamoglu's arrest occurred mere days before he was expected to be formally named as the CHP's candidate for the upcoming 2028 presidential race. The protests quickly spread from Istanbul to at least 40 of Turkey's 81 provinces, highlighting widespread sentiment against the government's actions.
While Ozel continued to call for demonstrations across the country, Erdogan denounced these protests as a form of street terror, labeling such activities as a dead end. He accused Ozel of grave irresponsibility and hinted at possible legal repercussions for the opposition leader. On the same day, authorities extended a protest ban to the cities of Ankara and Izmir, preemptively blocking main access routes to Istanbul's City Hall, including key bridges.
Prior to the protests, police had already resorted to using rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators in Istanbul and Ankara, leading to numerous arrests. Turkish media reported that at least 88 individuals were detained in these crackdowns. In addition, authorities detained several individuals for online posts that were considered incitement of hatred toward the government.
Prosecutors are currently investigating Imamoglu on allegations of aiding a terrorist organization and corruption linked to the banned Kurdish PKK militant group. The political turmoil surrounding his arrest has also taken a toll on Turkey's economy, with the Turkish lira suffering a significant blow and the BIST 100 stock exchange dropping nearly eight percent at close.
Despite Imamoglu’s detention, the CHP has indicated that it will continue with its primary elections to formally nominate him as the presidential candidate, opening voting to anyone, not just party members. Observers predict the government may attempt to obstruct this process to limit the public's supportive demonstration for Imamoglu, which could further legitimize his standing at a time when Erdogan is keen to reduce opposition momentum.
As protests continue in various cities across Turkey, the situation remains critical, as citizens demand accountability and uphold the principles of democracy amid increasing state repression.
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