Turkey has rejected international statements regarding the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the widespread protests across the country. The Turkish authorities announced that nearly 1,900 people have been detained during the protests.
Mayor Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and allegedly financing terrorist groups. His arrest came just days after he was named as President Erdogan’s main rival in the upcoming 2028 presidential elections. According to some polls, Imamoglu was leading ahead of Erdogan, making him a strong contender.
The arrest sparked Turkey’s largest protests in over a decade. Last Sunday, after a court postponed Imamoglu’s trial, he was sent to prison on corruption charges. Imamoglu has denied all allegations.
Thousands of people have been protesting in major Turkish cities, defying a government ban on public gatherings. Opposition parties, human rights groups, and Western powers have accused the government of using the charges as a political tool to eliminate Erdogan’s strongest competitor. Imamoglu was also removed from his position as mayor following the court’s decision.
President Erdogan, however, denied any political motive behind the arrest, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary is independent. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that since the protests began, at least 1,879 people have been arrested, with 260 already sent to prison. Around 489 detainees have been released, while others await further decisions. The minister also reported that about 150 police officers have been injured during the protests and warned that the government will not tolerate “terrorist activities on the streets.”
Following the unrest, the government imposed bans on public gatherings in Istanbul, Ankara, and the western coastal city of Izmir. The opposition claims this is the largest anti-government protest since the 2013 movement, putting severe pressure on Turkish law enforcement.
