Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Istanbul on Thursday following the arrest of the city’s Mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, France 24 reported.
İmamoğlu, a member of the opposition party, is seen as a key rival to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to France 24.
Several roads were closed, some social media platforms were restricted, and a four-day demonstration ban was imposed in an attempt to prevent protests. However, despite the ban, many gathered outside Istanbul’s police headquarters, the City Hall, and the headquarters of İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Protesters condemned the allegations against İmamoğlu as “unlawful” and “baseless,” calling his arrest a blow to democracy, France 24 reported.
“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,” one protester told France 24.
Riot police blocked off roads leading to the Vatan Security Department, where the mayor was taken following his arrest.
İmamoğlu, a popular opposition leader, is considered the main challenger to President Erdoğan. A total of 100 people, including the mayor and several other prominent figures, were arrested, France 24 reported.
The charges against İmamoğlu and his aides include alleged corruption, extortion, and fraud, as well as aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an outlawed group classified as a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington, and other Turkish allies.
His arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition figures, which critics have denounced as politically motivated and an attempt to silence dissent.
A day earlier, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s bachelor’s degree, a requisite for running in elections under Turkish law.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, CHP leader Özgür Özel echoed the criticism, claiming that Erdoğan, who suffered significant losses in last year’s local elections, is targeting İmamoğlu out of fear of losing to him in the upcoming elections.
Özel also accused authorities of orchestrating a “coup attempt.”
“They are capable of any evil. We are prepared for anything they might do because this is no longer just a political struggle—it is a matter of the country’s survival,” he said.
Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç rejected the allegations, asserting that the courts operate independently.
“Characterizing investigations carried out by an impartial and independent judiciary as a coup attempt or using similar terms is extremely dangerous and incorrect,” Tunç stated. He emphasized that the judiciary “does not take instructions from anyone.”
“Linking investigations and cases initiated by the judiciary to our president is, at best, presumptuous and inappropriate. The separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary is essential in our country,” he added.
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep concern over İmamoğlu’s arrest and reminded Turkey of its obligation to uphold democratic values.
“Turkey is an EU candidate country. It must uphold democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials,” von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels.
“We want Turkey to remain anchored to Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic norms and practices. It is essential that Turkey respects these fundamental principles,” she added.
(ANI)