Over 1,000 Protesters Detained After Jailing Istanbul Mayor

AP

Türkiye’s protests.

Over a thousand people have been detained during protests following the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Monday, 24 March 2025.

In a post on X, Yerlikaya said that "1,133 suspects were detained in illegal activities carried out between 19 and 23 March 19," adding that "among those captured were individuals affiliated with 12 different terrorist organisations.

Imamoglu, a political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained from his home last Wednesday, 19 March 2025. Authorities in Istanbul banned protests and closed some roads “in order to maintain public order” and “prevent any provocative actions that may occur.”

More than 120 police officers were also injured in the demonstrations, Yerlikaya said, adding that objects such as “acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, axes and knives” were seized.

In what appeared to be a warning to the opposition, Yerlikaya said: "Let no one try to use our youth and our people as a shield for their own political ambitions."

President Erdogan called the recent protests a “movement of violence” in a news conference on Monday, saying the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was responsible for any property damage and injury to police officers that occurred during the demonstrations.

“When they look back at this, if they have even an ounce of respect, I believe they will feel embarrassed for the evil they have done to the country and its people,” Erdogan said.

Türkiye’s opposition leader accused Erdogan of “trying to drift Turkey to an unlawful pathway.” Speaking to CNN’s Bianna Golodryga on Monday, CHP leader Özgür Özel said those protesting the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor simply wish “to defend… democracy and to preserve their rights.”

Türkiye's Republican People's Party (CHP) officially named Ekrem Imamoglu, the suspended mayor of Istanbul, as presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.

In press statements, the CHP's officials emphasised that İmamoğlu’s arrest does not constitute a legal barrier to his candidacy, as no formal conviction has been issued against him. They also described the decision to annul his academic credentials as a "clear attempt to prevent his candidacy."

CHP leader Özgür Özal previously revealed that nearly 15 million people participated in the symbolic primary elections organised by the party to choose its presidential candidate.

Özal explained that 1.65 million official party members, along with more than 13 million independent voters, cast ballots in the elections held at the party’s headquarters, “reflecting broad support for İmamoğlu, even among those not affiliated with the party.”

Imamoglu, who was detained on Sunday, 23 March 2025, arrived at the Marmara Prison after a court ordered his imprisonment. The court announced that Imamoglu, along with 20 other individuals, is being held in connection with a corruption case, while the terrorism investigation remains under judicial review.

The suspended mayor has denied the charges, calling them "unimaginable accusations and slanders." His arrest caused wide political tensions and sparked widespread protests across Türkiye, with demonstrators gathering in several cities to voice their opposition.

The next election is set for 2028, but the current Turkish President has reached his two-term limit as president after previously serving as prime minister. If he wishes to run again, he must call an early election or change the constitution.

Demonstrations took place in recent days across various cities in Turkey, including in Istanbul and the capital Ankara, protesting Imamoglu’s jailing.

Imamoglu, Erdogan’s most serious rival, was detained just days before he was set to be named as a candidate for CHP in the next presidential election. On Sunday, he was formally arrested pending trial on corruption charges.

Some 100 others connected to the mayor were also detained, including elected Istanbul district mayors Resul Emrah Sahan and Murat Calik.

In a message from Silivri Prison, where he is being held, Imamoglu said Monday that the presidential primary had seen record participation. He was widely expected to win the vote and become the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election

“Fifteen million of our citizens cast their votes. Tens of millions of people in this country, suffering under the oppression of the government, a shattered economy, lack of merit, and lawlessness, rushed to the ballot boxes,” Imamoglu said, adding that voters’ message to Erdogan was, “Enough is enough.”

Analysts say that Imamoglu was on a trajectory to one day lead the country. Some polls had said that if he ran for president against Erdogan, Imamoglu would secure more votes.



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