Nationwide Protests Erupt in Turkey Following Mayor's Controversial Arrest

Protests in Turkey have entered their fourth night, with thousands demanding justice after the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The unrest has drawn national attention and sparked confrontations between police and demonstrators.

Protests have continued for a fourth consecutive night in Istanbul following the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The demonstrations mark the largest civil unrest Turkey has seen in over a decade. Imamoglu, a prominent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on Wednesday, just days before he was expected to be nominated as a presidential candidate for 2028.

He appeared in court on Saturday, facing charges related to corruption and allegedly aiding terrorist groups, accusations he strongly denies. During a public address, Erdogan denounced the protests, claiming the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) was attempting to "disturb the peace and polarise our people."

On the streets of Istanbul, protests quickly escalated as riot police employed pepper spray and tear gas to disperse large crowds outside the mayor's office. Despite government bans on gatherings, thousands chanted “rights, law, justice,” reflecting widespread frustration over what they perceive as an unjust detention.

One protester, who chose to remain anonymous, stated, “I’m here for justice, I’m here for liberty. The Turkish people cannot accept this.” A concerned mother at the protests expressed her fears for her child's future in an increasingly oppressive environment.

Throughout the past four nights, local authorities have tried to suppress public demonstrations by extending a ban on gatherings from Istanbul to other major cities like Ankara and Izmir. As tensions escalated, riot police clashed with demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of arrests—with authorities reporting at least 343 detentions on Friday night alone.

Imamoglu, viewed as a significant political challenger to Erdogan, is now the sole candidate for the CHP's presidential selection taking place this Sunday. His recent arrest came alongside a broader inquiry that saw more than 100 individuals detained, including various politicians and journalists. Days prior, Istanbul University announced it would revoke Imamoglu's degree over alleged irregularities, jeopardizing his eligibility to run for president, as Turkish law mandates higher education completion for candidates.

Erdogan has been in power for 22 years, initially as Prime Minister and now as President. However, he faces term limits that prevent a candidacy for 2028 unless he alters the constitution. While government officials dismiss accusations linking Erdogan to the arrests as unfounded, opposition leaders assert that the crackdown reflects an effort to silence political dissent.