Tens of thousands of people across Turkey have taken to the streets to protest the arrest of President Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rival, a move which has plunged the country into its deepest crisis in decades.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul, was detained on Wednesday and formally arrested on Sunday, pending trial on corruption charges.
His arrest has sparked the largest protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade, despite bans on public gatherings in many cities.
Anti-government protests continued for a fifth consecutive night on Sunday.
On Sunday, members of İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), the main opposition to Erdoğan's ruling alliance, voted to elect him as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
While no general election is scheduled until 2028, Erdoğan, who has led Turkey for 22 years, would need parliamentary approval for an earlier vote if he seeks re-election, as he will have reached his term limit by then.
The CHP has denounced the court’s decision against İmamoğlu, calling it politically motivated and undemocratic.
İmamoğlu has described the charges he faces as “unimaginable accusations and slanders” and called for nationwide protests.
“I will never bow,” he wrote on X before he was remanded in custody.
While İmamoğlu’s arrest does not immediately disqualify him from running for president, a conviction on any of the charges would prevent his candidacy.
Since the protests began, Turkish authorities have reported more than 700 arrests.
The unrest has spread to at least 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, or more than two-thirds of the country, according to a tally by French news agency AFP.
On Monday, the Journalists Union of Turkey reported that authorities had detained nine journalists covering overnight protests in several cities.
His arrest has sparked the largest protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade, despite bans on public gatherings in many cities.
Anti-government protests continued for a fifth consecutive night on Sunday.
On Sunday, members of İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), the main opposition to Erdoğan's ruling alliance, voted to elect him as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
While no general election is scheduled until 2028, Erdoğan, who has led Turkey for 22 years, would need parliamentary approval for an earlier vote if he seeks re-election, as he will have reached his term limit by then.
The CHP has denounced the court’s decision against İmamoğlu, calling it politically motivated and undemocratic.
İmamoğlu has described the charges he faces as “unimaginable accusations and slanders” and called for nationwide protests.
“I will never bow,” he wrote on X before he was remanded in custody.
The government denies any political interference in the investigation, insisting that the courts are independent.Dimdik ayaktayız, asla eğilmeyeceğiz. Her şey çok güzel olacak! https://t.co/beCTSmcAkj
— Ekrem İmamoğlu (@ekrem_imamoglu) March 23, 2025
While İmamoğlu’s arrest does not immediately disqualify him from running for president, a conviction on any of the charges would prevent his candidacy.
Since the protests began, Turkish authorities have reported more than 700 arrests.
The unrest has spread to at least 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, or more than two-thirds of the country, according to a tally by French news agency AFP.
On Monday, the Journalists Union of Turkey reported that authorities had detained nine journalists covering overnight protests in several cities.
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