For the fourth straight night, demonstrations have been held in Istanbul and other major Turkish cities.
Protesters gathered in large numbers for a fourth consecutive night in cities across Türkiye on Saturday, demanding the release of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was detained on allegations of corruption and ties to terrorism.
Imamoglu, a 2023 vice-presidential candidate, was taken into custody on Wednesday.
A prominent figure in the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Imamoglu is widely considered a leading challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The protests have taken place in Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, and Istanbul, the nation’s most populous city.
For the fourth night, tens of thousands pack Istanbul to protest Imamoglu’s arrest. A verdict is expected soon
— Gönül Tol (@gonultol)
Happening now: Protests erupt in Ankara, Turkey, against President Erdogan.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613)
In Ankara, police used water cannons to break up student protests at Middle East Technical University.
ODTÜ’de polis ekipleri, direnen öğrencilere TOMA’yla şiddetli bir şekilde müdahale ediyor.
— Solcu Gazete (@solcugazeteX)
Previous nights saw clashes between police and demonstrators. Law enforcement employed water cannons and tear gas, while some protesters dismantled security barriers and hurled objects at police vehicles.
Protesters in Ankara Turkey, mainly students, are pushing back police and their water cannons.
— kakasloi (@kakasloi)
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on X that a total of 343 individuals were arrested on Saturday in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Konya, and Edirne on Friday.
According to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office, Imamoglu’s detention is part of an investigation into alleged corruption, bribery, and fraud. He is also accused of having links to the Kurdish group PKK, which Türkiye considers a terrorist organization.
Reports indicate that the mayor’s arrest occurred just days before his expected nomination as the CHP candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Imamoglu has decried the prosecution as politically motivated, stating, “This immoral and tyrannical approach will undoubtedly be overturned by the will and resilience of our people,” according to the New York Times.
President Erdogan condemned the protests in a Friday statement, vowing that authorities would not allow “street terror and vandalism” to disrupt the country. He urged CHP head Ozgur Ozel to act responsibly and refrain from “provoke youngsters.”
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