Thousands of people across Turkey have flooded the streets in protest following the arrest of Istanbul`s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, sparking violent clashes with the police.
This mass demonstration has become one of the largest seen in the country in the last decade, as demonstrators call for justice.
The protests erupted after İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and a presidential hopeful in the upcoming 2028 elections, was arrested by the Turkish government on Sunday.
The arrest took place just before a critical vote was scheduled to nominate him as the candidate for the Republican People`s Party (CHP) for the presidential race.
İmamoğlu, speaking on social media before his arrest, stated,
“I was arrested with a deliberate political motive because I am a rival. I will not bow down.”
His arrest sparked outrage among his supporters, who gathered outside Istanbul`s City Hall, waving Turkish flags and chanting various slogans.
Over the past five days, these protests have grown in size, with crowds continuing to flood the streets.
Turkish authorities, seeking to control the situation, responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.
The violence escalated when the police used pepper spray, turning the City Hall area into a battleground as protesters clashed with officers.
Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, the mayor`s wife, addressed the masses gathered outside City Hall, condemning the "injustice" done to her husband.
“The injustice done to him has stirred the conscience of every reasonable person,” she said. Her words resonated deeply with the crowd, fueling their resolve.
This latest round of protests mirrors the large-scale demonstrations that took place in 2013 when people protested the destruction of a park in Istanbul.
A decade later, Turkey finds itself once again on the streets, as the nation is gripped by unrest following İmamoğlu`s arrest.
Protests have spread to at least 55 of Turkey`s 81 provinces, covering two-thirds of the country, as reported by AFP.
The unrest shows no signs of slowing down, with widespread calls for İmamoğlu’s release.
In court, İmamoğlu faced charges including bribery, extortion, illegal recording of personal information, rigging tenders, and connections to criminal organizations.
The court, having reviewed these charges, decided to imprison him.
The protests have not been without consequence, as the Turkish police have conducted massive crackdowns on demonstrators.
So far, over 300 people have been arrested for participating in the protests in various cities, including Istanbul and the capital Ankara.
President Erdoğan, who has faced criticism over the handling of the protests, condemned the demonstrators, accusing CHP leaders of attempting to disrupt the country`s peace and unity.
However, the protests continue to grow, with more people joining in to demand justice for the mayor.
As tensions rise in Turkey, it remains to be seen how the government will handle the ongoing protests and what the future holds for İmamoğlu’s political career.
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