A Turkish court is expected to decide on the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after mass protests broke out in support of him. The Caglayan court was scheduled to rule on Sunday whether to charge or release Imamoglu, who was arrested amid widespread unrest.
Imamoglu, a prominent opposition figure and a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race, was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist organization, allegations he has strongly denied. His arrest sparked protests, with demonstrations in over 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces.
The unrest, considered Turkey’s most significant street protests in over a decade, saw protesters clash with riot police. Following violent protests on Saturday night, police arrested 323 individuals, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Despite the turmoil, the main opposition CHP party proceeded with its primary vote to nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate, aiming to draw broad public support.
Protests were particularly intense in Istanbul, with signs declaring “Dictators are cowards!” and “AKP (ruling party), you will not silence us!” Riot police used rubber bullets, pepper spray, and percussion grenades to disperse crowds, with some protesters seeking refuge in City Hall.
In Ankara and Izmir, protests were similarly met with heavy-handed responses from police forces.
Imamoglu, who has been a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, defended himself against the accusations, claiming the charges were baseless and damaging to Turkey’s international standing. His detention had already caused significant damage to the Turkish economy, with the lira plunging in value, and the BIST 100 stock index dropping nearly 8%.
Protestors continue to rally, with one participant, 30-year-old Aykut Cenk, comparing the current protests to those that occurred in support of Erdogan after the 2016 coup attempt, emphasizing their belief in Imamoglu’s cause as a fight for justice. Despite government warnings against protests, the unrest continues to grow.
This coverage is part of the ongoing reporting on the situation, and the decision by the court will likely have major political ramifications.
