Protests in Istanbul after arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu

Thousands of protesters gathered on Tuesday (19) in the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, to protest against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the city's mayor and main opposition leader to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government.

İmamoğlu, seen as a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential election, was detained on corruption charges, a move his supporters see as an attempt to silence the opposition. The arrest comes amid growing political repression in the country, raising questions about the independence of the Turkish judiciary.

The demonstrations in Istanbul were marked by anti-government slogans and calls for the mayor’s immediate release. Reports indicate that security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters in some parts of the city.

Political leaders and international organizations have expressed concern about İmamoğlu’s arrest, warning that it risks undermining democracy in Turkey. The European Union and the United States have already called for clarification on the case.

The Turkish opposition has vowed to continue protests and pressure the government to release the mayor. Meanwhile, the Erdoğan government maintains its position, claiming that the arrest was made within the legal framework and that justice will follow its normal course.

The situation remains tense in Istanbul, and new demonstrations may occur in the coming days.

#Turkey

Thousands of protesters have gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and main opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu.

The man the opposition was rallying behind for the 2028 presidential elections has been arrested on corruption charges. pic.twitter.com/MN3SbwGa58 — K13 News (@K13News) March 19, 2025