Demonstrations erupted across multiple cities in Turkey on Friday in response to the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, despite a stern warning from the Turkish leader against public protests.
In Istanbul, security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of demonstrators attempting to breach barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct. Protesters hurled flares, stones, and other objects at police.
Authorities also intervened in protests in Ankara, the capital, and in the coastal city of Izmir, sometimes using force, according to footage aired by private broadcaster Halk TV. Thousands of people marched in various cities, demanding the government step down, the station reported.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that at least 97 individuals had been detained across the country during the demonstrations.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was taken into custody during a dawn raid on his home Wednesday, accused of corruption and links to terrorist groups, further intensifying the government’s crackdown on opposition figures. Several other political figures, including two district mayors, were also arrested.
Critics view Imamoglu’s detention as a politically motivated effort to sideline a strong opposition leader ahead of the 2028 presidential election. However, government officials deny any political interference, asserting that Turkey’s judiciary remains independent.
Imamoglu spent four hours being questioned by police over corruption allegations, rejecting all accusations, according to Cumhuriyet newspaper and other media. He is expected to be taken to court for further questioning by prosecutors on Saturday evening.
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His arrest has triggered the largest wave of protests in Turkey since 2013, when mass anti-government demonstrations led to the deaths of eight people.
Earlier on Friday, Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, reiterated his call for peaceful demonstrations, while authorities expanded restrictions on protests and criticized his appeal as irresponsible.
“I invite tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions, to peacefully demonstrate, express our democratic reaction, and exercise our constitutional rights,” Ozel said.
Speaking at a large rally outside city hall, Ozel accused Erdogan of exploiting the judiciary after being unable to defeat Imamoglu “in a fair way.”
Erdogan Warns Against Street Protests
Erdogan, who has become increasingly authoritarian after more than 20 years in power, stated that the government would not permit street demonstrations and accused the opposition party of ties to corruption and terrorism.
“An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is being used as an excuse to stir unrest in our streets. I want it to be known that we will not allow a handful of opportunists to bring unrest to Turkey just to protect their plundering schemes,” Erdogan said.
“Pointing to the streets instead of courtrooms to defend theft, plunder, lawlessness and fraud is a grave irresponsibility,” he added. “Just as we have not surrendered to street terrorism until now, we will not bow to vandalism in the future either.”
Authorities in Ankara and Izmir announced a five-day ban on demonstrations Friday, following an earlier restriction imposed in Istanbul. Officials also ordered more road closures in Istanbul and shut down metro stations near a university in Ankara, where violent clashes had taken place the day before.