Protests have erupted across Turkey, growing in intensity after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. He is a prominent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is facing allegations of corruption and ties to terrorist organizations. Many believe his detention is a political maneuver to prevent him from running in the presidential election set for 2028.
For four consecutive nights, demonstrators have clashed with police in various cities, including Istanbul. Imamoglu, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has denied any wrongdoing. He was questioned by police for several hours over the weekend as part of a terror investigation related to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey classifies as a terrorist organization.
The unrest began after Imamoglu’s arrest on Wednesday, which many see as an attempt to eliminate a strong rival ahead of the upcoming elections. Government officials, however, insist that the legal actions against opposition figures are not politically motivated and claim that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently.
On Saturday, Imamoglu appeared in court for the first time since his detention, where he reiterated his innocence. In addition to him, around 90 others, including two district mayors, have been questioned by prosecutors. The government has responded to the protests with force, deploying riot police and water cannons.
President Erdogan condemned the protests, asserting that the government will not tolerate unrest. He accused the opposition of having links to corruption and extremist groups, stating, "The days of going out into the streets… are now behind us."
Despite the government’s stance, thousands have taken to the streets in multiple cities, marking the largest wave of protests in Turkey in over a decade. Demonstrators have been chanting for justice and calling for the government to resign. The protests have remained mostly peaceful, although some groups have clashed with police, throwing flares and stones.
In the face of this turmoil, the CHP plans to move forward with its primary election, where Imamoglu is expected to be nominated as the party’s presidential candidate. The party’s leader confirmed that the primary, allowing about 1.5 million delegates to vote, will proceed as scheduled.
The situation in Turkey continues to evolve, with many watching closely how the government and the opposition will respond in the coming days.