More than 1,130 demonstrators have been arrested across Turkey since protests erupted on Wednesday following the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. Authorities confirmed the arrests today as tensions continue to rise.
Public Gatherings Banned in Major Cities
The Turkish government imposed temporary bans on public gatherings in three major cities.
“From March 19 to 23, 1,133 suspects were arrested in connection with illegal activities,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X.
Journalists Arrested Amid Crackdown
The Turkish Human Rights Association reported today that ten journalists, including an Agence France Presse photographer, were arrested in their homes in Istanbul and Izmir. Their arrests came just a day after renewed protests against İmamoğlu’s imprisonment on corruption charges.
Demonstrations Continue Despite Police Crackdown
For the fourth consecutive day, protesters gathered in Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, opposing İmamoğlu’s arrest. Some demonstrators clashed with police, and a masked group in Ankara injured an officer. In response, police fired rubber bullets at the crowds, according to TRT Haber.
The protests are being led by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s largest opposition group. From detention, İmamoğlu urged citizens to organize mass demonstrations nationwide as he awaits trial.
Turkish Government Removes İmamoğlu from Office
The Turkish Interior Ministry confirmed that İmamoğlu was removed from his mayoral post after his arrest on corruption and terrorism charges. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, where CHP holds a majority, will soon elect an acting mayor.
A key opposition figure, İmamoğlu is seen as a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming election. He denied the charges, calling them “unthinkable slander.”
The government insists it has no influence over the case, claiming the judiciary remains independent. However, polls suggest İmamoğlu enjoys greater public support than Erdogan, strengthening speculation that his arrest is politically motivated.
From Business to Politics: İmamoğlu’s Rise to Prominence
Born in 1970, İmamoğlu studied in Cyprus and Istanbul, earning a degree in business administration. Before entering politics, he managed a restaurant specializing in meatballs and ran his family’s construction company, İmamoğlu Insaat. He also served as a board member of Trabzonspor, one of Turkey’s most successful football clubs.
Parallels between Erdogan and İmamoğlu are striking. Both played football in their youth, hail from the Black Sea region, and attended religious studies courses. İmamoğlu has served as Istanbul’s mayor since 2019, a role Erdogan held from 1994 to 1998.
Despite his legal troubles, İmamoğlu remains an influential political figure. His supporters believe his journey is far from over. As he once said after a disputed election in 2019, “Our road is long.” The future remains uncertain, but his impact on Turkish politics is undeniable.
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