Turkey Protests: Erdogan Condemns Unrest as Istanbul Mayor’s Arrest Sparks Nationwide Demonstrations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced the widespread protests gripping the country, as demonstrations entered their third consecutive day following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Despite a government ban on political gatherings, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Istanbul and other cities, accusing Erdogan’s administration of using politically motivated charges to eliminate Imamoglu—a key opposition figure—from the 2028 presidential race.
At a rally on Friday, Erdogan vowed to take firm action, stating that his government would not “surrender to street terror.”
“An anti-corruption operation in Istanbul is being exploited to stir unrest,” Erdogan claimed, adding that authorities “will not allow opportunists to bring chaos to Türkiye.”
Read More: What’s Next for Türkiye Amid Growing Protests Over Imamoglu’s Detention?
Crackdown and Arrests
Imamoglu, a leading member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on Wednesday over alleged corruption and links to terrorist organizations. His arrest comes just days before he was set to be officially nominated as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 elections.
Turkish authorities have also detained over 100 individuals, including journalists, business leaders, and politicians, in connection with the case. Since Wednesday, at least 88 protesters have been arrested, while 54 others face charges for “incitement to hatred” through social media posts, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry.
As protests continue to spread, the government has extended its four-day ban on political demonstrations from Istanbul to Ankara and Izmir, covering a total of 32 provinces.
‘We Are 300,000’: Opposition Unites Behind Imamoglu
Despite Erdogan’s warnings, a massive crowd gathered in Istanbul on Friday, defying roadblocks and bridge closures near the municipality building.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel told demonstrators that over 300,000 people had joined protests across the city.
“We are 300,000 people,” Ozel declared, accusing the government of trying to silence opposition figures through politically motivated detentions.
Protesters carried placards reading “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Rights, law, justice.”
From police custody, Imamoglu dismissed the charges against him and condemned Istanbul University’s controversial decision to invalidate his diploma—a move that would legally disqualify him from running for president. The CHP has called his arrest a “coup against democracy” and urged supporters to continue peaceful protests.
Imamoglu, who first defeated Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the 2019 Istanbul mayoral elections, was re-elected last year in a major setback for the Turkish president.
Fears of a Broader Crackdown
The wave of arrests has raised concerns of a wider government crackdown ahead of Türkiye’s next national elections. Security forces used rubber bullets and pepper spray against demonstrators in Istanbul, while violent clashes were reported in Izmir and Ankara.
With Erdogan constitutionally barred from seeking another term in 2028, analysts say Imamoglu posed a serious electoral challenge to the ruling party. The latest events suggest a renewed effort to sideline opposition leaders before the vote.
The CHP is set to formally nominate Imamoglu for the presidency on Sunday, with 1.5 million party members expected to vote. In response to his arrest, the party has announced plans for a symbolic national election, setting up ballot boxes across Türkiye to gauge public support.
For now, protests continue to grow, despite Erdogan’s escalating threats of a tougher crackdown in the coming days.
