Pro-democracy protests erupted in Istanbul, with crowds rallying in support of jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, accused of corruption. His supporters view the charges as politically motivated, demanding justice and freedom.
Massive Pro-Democracy Rally in Istanbul Following Arrest of Opposition Mayor
Massive Pro-Democracy Rally in Istanbul Following Arrest of Opposition Mayor
Hundreds of thousands gather in Istanbul to protest the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor and key rival of President Erdogan.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protesters have once again filled the streets of Istanbul, vocally expressing their support for imprisoned mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The popular mayor was arrested last week on charges of corruption, which he vehemently denies, labeling them as a politically charged attack against him, especially given his status as a primary opponent to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Imamoglu is currently confined to a high-security prison on the city's outskirts, where he remains isolated. The massive demonstrators on Saturday overflowed from the designated protest area into an adjacent park, a testament to the scale of their gathering. The chairman of Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP) rallied the crowd by reading a letter from Imamoglu, expressing his unwavering resolve: "I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side..." accompanied by an AI-generated video depicting Imamoglu in his jail environment.
Dilek Imamoglu, the mayor's wife, was visibly present, promising the crowd, “We will keep fighting and fighting.” Under the striking blue sky, demonstrators waved Turkey's red-and-white flags and chanted, "Rights, law, justice!" Imamoglu has served as Istanbul’s mayor since 2019, winning a notable victory in 2022, and is widely considered a formidable political challenger to Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK).
The wave of pro-democracy protests across Turkey has surged in response to Imamoglu's arrest, raising fears about the fairness of his upcoming trial. The government, however, maintains that the arrest is not politically motivated, citing the independence of Turkish courts. In light of the protests, Erdogan has labeled the demonstrations as "street terrorism," accusing protesters of violent acts against police forces and public property. In various instances, riot control measures including tear gas and rubber bullets were deployed to manage the dissent.
