Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was questioned on Saturday on terror and corruption-related charges. Hundreds of his supporters gathered outside the courthouse where he was detained, sparking protests across Turkey. Imamoglu was set to become the Republican People’s Party’s presidential nominee, with many viewing his arrest as politically motivated in an attempt by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to eliminate a political rival. Although officials deny this accusation and insist that Turkey’s courts operate independently, Imamoglu was questioned for five hours on allegations of aiding the outlawed PKK, as well as on corruption charges.
Imamoglu, along with 90 others detained with him, was transferred to a courthouse for further questioning by prosecutors. Despite facing allegations of exploiting his position for financial gain, he rejected all charges during the interrogations. The courthouse was heavily secured, with barricades, police officers, and water cannon trucks deployed to prevent protesters from gaining access. Despite the restrictions, protesters managed to gather outside the courthouse, chanting for rights, law, and justice. Clashes erupted between police and protesters, leading to the expansion of a ban on demonstrations until 26 March.
Erdogan addressed the ongoing protests, accusing the opposition of inciting chaos and trying to create tension. He criticized the use of street terror as a means to influence politics and justice, stating that those days are in the past. The protests against Imamoglu’s detention have been the largest wave of demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade. While most protests were peaceful, some protesters resorted to violence, throwing flares, stones, and other objects at police. The Interior Minister announced that 343 suspects were detained in protests in major cities.
Despite Imamoglu’s arrest just before his expected nomination as the opposition party’s presidential candidate, the CHP Presidential Primary is set to proceed as planned. Around 1.5 million delegates will be able to vote in the primary, while citizens are encouraged to participate in a symbolic election through improvised ballot boxes to show solidarity with Imamoglu. The mayor urged the public to safeguard the ballot boxes and exercise their democratic right to vote. In his messages, Imamoglu described his arrest as a coup and accused the government of exploiting the judiciary and exacerbating the country’s economic troubles.
Imamoglu’s detention has sparked widespread outrage and protests across Turkey, with many viewing it as a politically motivated move by President Erdogan to eliminate a potential rival in the upcoming presidential race. Despite facing allegations of terrorism links and corruption, Imamoglu has denied all charges and continues to have the support of his followers. The clashes between protesters and police have led to an expansion of restrictions on demonstrations, with Erdogan criticizing the opposition for trying to disrupt societal order and peace. The ongoing protests mark a significant moment in Turkish politics and serve as a reminder of the challenges facing the country in the run-up to the next presidential election.
