Mass Protests in Istanbul Following Mayor Imamoglu’s Arrest

Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Istanbul on Thursday to protest the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Seen as a key opposition figure and a potential rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his detention has ignited intense political controversy across Turkiye.

Protests Erupt Near Key Locations

Large crowds gathered outside Istanbul’s police headquarters, City Hall, and the central office of Imamoglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP). Protesters condemned the arrest as “unlawful” and “baseless,” calling it a blow to democracy. One demonstrator told France 24, “This is not democracy. It’s a sham of democracy. The people do not deserve this. We are upset, of course. As humans, we are upset.”

Authorities quickly responded to the protests by closing major roads, restricting access to popular social media platforms, and imposing a four-day ban on public demonstrations. Despite these efforts, the protests continued unabated.

Who is Ekrem Imamoglu?

Ekrem Imamoglu is a prominent opposition leader and the main contender against President Erdogan. Following his arrest, riot police blocked roads leading to the Vatan Security Department, where Imamoglu was taken into custody. Along with the mayor, around 100 individuals, including other notable figures, were detained.

Imamoglu and his aides face allegations of corruption, including extortion and fraud, and are accused of assisting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—an organization considered a terrorist group by Ankara, Washington, and other allies. His arrest is seen by critics as part of a wider crackdown on opposition voices, aimed at stifling dissent. In a related move, Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s bachelor’s degree, a qualification required by Turkish law for electoral candidates.