After spending three nights in custody, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is set to appear before prosecutors on Saturday. His arrest has sparked massive protests across Turkiye, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in defiance.
Since Wednesday, when police detained Imamoglu, demonstrators have been rallying in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Security forces have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. So far, at least 97 people have been arrested, with reports of overnight police raids on many homes.
Imamoglu, seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rival, was detained just days before his party, the CHP, was expected to nominate him as their candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Authorities accuse him of aiding the outlawed Kurdish group PKK, as well as corruption, fraud, and bribery. He denies all charges, calling the case politically motivated.
Despite the government’s warnings and a ban on protests, an estimated 300,000 people gathered outside City Hall in Istanbul on Friday night. Protesters chanted, “Don’t stay silent or it will be you next.” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed the crowd, calling the arrest an attack on democracy.
Imamoglu sent a message via his lawyers, thanking protesters for standing up for justice and democracy. Meanwhile, the turmoil has shaken Turkiye’s financial markets, with the stock exchange dropping nearly eight percent.
Demonstrations are expected to continue, as anger grows over what many see as an attempt to silence Erdogan’s biggest political threat.
