Mass Protests Erupt in Istanbul Over Arrest of Opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Istanbul, March 22 – Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Istanbul on Friday, defying a warning from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against what he called “street terror.” The protests, now in their third consecutive day, come in response to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan’s chief political rival, who was detained just days before he was set to announce his candidacy for the 2028 presidential election.

Opposition leader Özgür Özel stated that more than 300,000 people had joined protests across the city. “We are 300,000 strong,” the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) told crowds gathered in front of City Hall, adding that road and bridge closures had forced demonstrators to spread out across multiple locations.

Arrest Sparks Nationwide Outcry

Imamoglu was arrested early Wednesday on allegations of corruption and ties to “terror” organizations. His detention was part of a broader crackdown that also saw the arrests of prominent journalists and business figures. The government subsequently imposed a four-day ban on political demonstrations in an effort to curb unrest.

Despite these restrictions, protests quickly spread beyond Istanbul, reaching 32 of Türkiye’s 81 provinces, according to an AFP count. The CHP, which had been preparing to nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate on Sunday, denounced his arrest as a “coup” against democratic opposition.

Chanting slogans such as “Don’t be silent! Otherwise, they’ll come for you,” and holding signs that read “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Rights, law, justice,” demonstrators vowed to continue their resistance.

Government Response and Growing Tensions

Turkish media reported that at least 88 protesters have been arrested since the demonstrations began, while Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 16 police officers had been injured. Authorities have also detained 54 individuals over online posts deemed as “incitement to hatred.”

Imamoglu’s victory in the 2019 Istanbul mayoral election marked a historic setback for Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had controlled the city for a quarter of a century. His continued popularity has positioned him as a leading opposition figure, making his arrest a flashpoint in Türkiye’s intensifying political landscape.

As tensions escalate, all eyes remain on Erdogan’s government and its handling of the growing unrest. The protests, fueled by concerns over democracy and political freedoms, underscore the deepening divide in Türkiye’s political climate ahead of the country’s next election cycle.