The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges has been widely viewed as politically motivated and has sparked protests across Turkey. İmamoğlu, seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rule, was visited by the head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, who described him as a lion standing tall despite his imprisonment. İmamoğlu’s arrest has led to demonstrations in cities across the country, some of which have turned violent. The government maintains that Turkey’s judiciary is independent and free from political influence. Despite the crackdown on media and activists, protests calling for İmamoğlu’s release persist, with students boycotting classes and journalists facing charges for covering banned protests.
The protests have led to a crackdown on journalists and activists, with over 170 people, including seven journalists, jailed ahead of trial. The media organization, Media and Law Studies Association, reported that 11 journalists were detained for covering banned protests in Istanbul. Students across Turkey have also joined the protests, with thousands gathering in parks and occupying campuses. The replacement of elected mayors with government appointees has further fueled demonstrations. The head of the CHP’s Istanbul branch, Özgür Celik, has refused to comply with orders to remove İmamoğlu’s posters, vowing to display them even more prominently.
The protests demanding İmamoğlu’s release and an end to democratic backsliding have spread to cities and towns across Turkey, with demonstrators calling for an end to political interference in the judiciary. While most protests have been peaceful, some have turned violent, with police using water cannons, tear gas, and other means to disperse crowds. The governors of Ankara and Izmir extended bans on demonstrations, citing provocations and insults against President Erdoğan and his family. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 1,418 people had been detained since the protests began, with nearly 1,000 suspects currently in custody.
Despite the crackdown, opposition leaders like Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu have condemned insults directed at President Erdoğan’s family and called for moderation in the protests. The government has vowed not to tolerate any attempts to terrorize the streets, with the interior minister warning against vandalism and extremist actions. President Erdoğan, speaking at a Ramadan fast-breaking meal in Ankara, urged demonstrators to know their limits and maintain order, warning against those who seek to spread terror in the streets. The ongoing protests and arrests of journalists and activists highlight the growing tensions in Turkey over political freedom and democracy. The situation has drawn international attention, with concerns raised about the erosion of democratic norms and freedoms in the country.
