Turkey’s main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, called for peaceful public protests on Friday following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Authorities detained İmamoğlu in a dawn raid on Wednesday, accusing him of corruption and alleged ties to a terrorist organization.
Controversial Arrest Sparks Outrage
Many view the arrest as a politically motivated attempt to eliminate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most prominent rival ahead of the 2028 elections. The crackdown also led to the detention of several other officials from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), including two district mayors.
Özel encouraged citizens to respond to the crackdown with nonviolent demonstrations, urging them to defend their democratic and constitutional rights. “It’s not us filling the streets,” he stated. “It’s your injustice and lawlessness that have brought people out.”
Protests Erupt Despite Government Bans
Since İmamoğlu’s arrest, thousands of people have gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall, with protests also spreading to Ankara and Izmir. On Thursday night, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University. While some students claimed that police fired rubber bullets, the Interior Ministry denied these allegations.
Officials reported more than 50 arrests and 16 injured police officers during the clashes. In response to the growing unrest, authorities in Ankara, Izmir, and Istanbul imposed five-day bans on demonstrations.
Despite these restrictions, the CHP announced plans for a symbolic nationwide election on Sunday. Supporters are encouraged to vote in solidarity with İmamoğlu by placing special ballot boxes in cities across Turkey to showcase public support.
Erdoğan Defends Arrests, Warns Against Protests
President Erdoğan defended the arrests, claiming they were part of an anti-corruption initiative rather than political repression. He accused the opposition of trying to incite unrest, stating, “We will not allow a handful of opportunists to destabilize our country.”
Erdoğan added that calling for public demonstrations instead of relying on legal processes was “a serious irresponsibility.” Government officials continue to assert that the judiciary operates independently and that the cases are not politically driven.
Future Uncertainty for İmamoğlu
As of Friday afternoon, police have begun questioning İmamoğlu. According to Turkish law, he can be held for up to four days without formal charges. İmamoğlu was expected to be officially nominated as the CHP’s 2028 presidential candidate on Sunday.
Political analysts warn that if İmamoğlu faces formal terror charges, he could be removed from office and replaced by a state-appointed trustee. The situation remains tense as both sides prepare for potential legal battles and continued public demonstrations.