Turkey is experiencing widespread unrest following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, sparking mass protests across the country. On Friday night, at least 340 protestors were arrested during the third day of demonstrations calling for Erdogan’s resignation. The protests, which have spread to dozens of cities, are the result of increasing political tensions and a government crackdown on opposition figures.
Imamoglu, a rising star in Turkish politics and a key figure in the main opposition party, was detained on Wednesday on charges related to alleged financial crimes and his alleged ties to insurgent Kurdish militants. His arrest came just hours before he was nominated as a presidential candidate for the opposition party in the 2028 election, increasing suspicions that his detention was politically motivated. Imamoglu’s arrest is viewed as part of a broader effort by Erdogan’s government to stifle opposition and consolidate power ahead of future elections.
As of Saturday, Imamoglu had been questioned by Turkish authorities for five hours and is expected to face court hearings to determine whether formal charges will be filed against him. The arrest has already set off large-scale protests, with tens of thousands of Turks taking to the streets to demand Erdogan’s resignation. The demonstrations, which began in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, have intensified despite government efforts to suppress the.
