Pikachu Joins Anti-Erdogan Stir in Turkey, Runs From Police In Viral Video

Protests in Turkey against the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, took a humorous turn when a demonstrator dressed as Pikachu was seen evading police in Antalya. The video of the incident, showing the activist in a Pokémon-themed costume running from officers amid the chaos, quickly went viral.

The unrest erupted following the detention of Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s key political rival, as part of a corruption probe. Authorities reported that around 2,000 people have been arrested since the mayor’s arrest last week.

The incident also drew attention from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), to which Imamoglu belongs. In a statement on X, the CHP remarked, “Even Pikachu is affected by pepper spray,” highlighting the severity of the police crackdown.

Despite mounting criticism from both domestic and international observers, the Turkish government dismissed foreign reactions as “prejudiced.”

Imamoglu, who has been a significant challenger to Erdogan, was arrested on allegations of corruption and supporting a terrorist organization. His party’s victory in the 2019 Istanbul municipal elections dealt a significant blow to Erdogan’s political dominance, with the results remaining unchanged even after a government-ordered re-election. With the mayor leading in some recent polls, his arrest is widely seen as a political maneuver ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.