Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Istanbul to show their backing for the city’s incarcerated mayor and call for his liberation.
The primary opposition party in Turkey, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), organized this demonstration, which is part of an ongoing series of protests leading to numerous arrests and increasing the strain on longtime president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu—a prominent political opponent of Erdoğan—was arrested on March 19th. He faced allegations of corruption and terrorism, which numerous observers believed were driven by political motives.
The authorities maintain that the judicial system operates independently and remains untouched by political influence.
His detention, followed by an official arrest on corruption allegations on March 23rd, ignited nationwide demonstrations despite prohibitions on gatherings, law enforcement suppression, and legal actions taken by officials.
“We have seen hundreds of our children taken into custody, along with thousands of young people… they have apprehended hundreds of them,” said CHP leader Özgür Özel to those gathered at the protest.
Their sole objective was to scare them, frighten them so badly that they would never venture out again.
On Thursday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that approximately 1,900 individuals were apprehended following March 19th. Subsequently, pro-government news outlets reported on Friday that public prosecutors sought prison terms of up to three years for 74 of these arrested persons.
The police maintained their distance during Saturday’s gathering, and no additional arrests were made.
Özgel demanded the immediate liberation of İmamoğlu, along with other political detainees such as Selahattin Demirtaş, a previous presidential contender and the founding figure of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP).
“candidates for president will not face imprisonment”in the Turkey of our dreams, ” Özel further stated.
On last Sunday, just a few hours following his formal arrest, İmamoğlu emerged victorious in a symbolic primary to become the CHP’s nominee for an anticipated presidential election. This electoral event is presently set for 2028 but seems poised to occur sooner rather than later.
Özel noted they would start gathering signatures for İmamoğlu’s release and also to call for early elections.
