Turkish police have detained over 1,100 people in a wave of protests that have swept the country in response to the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. The unrest began after Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul, was taken into custody on charges including corruption and links to a terrorist organization. His arrest has sparked the largest anti-government demonstrations in more than a decade.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 1,113 people had been arrested during the five days of protests. These protests erupted after Imamoglu was jailed in Silivri Prison, just outside Istanbul, pending trial. Many view him as a significant challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003.
Erdogan has blamed the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which Imamoglu represents, for inciting violence. He accused them of creating a "movement of violence" and expressed confidence that the protests would eventually lose momentum. However, opposition supporters remain defiant, vowing to continue their demonstrations and encouraging others to join in.
The protests have spread to more than 55 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, with demonstrators clashing with riot police who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Despite bans on public gatherings in many cities, the protests continued for a fifth night, showing the determination of the opposition.
On Sunday, Imamoglu was stripped of his title as mayor and was overwhelmingly chosen as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election, with about 15 million people voting in his favor. This indicates strong support for him among the electorate, despite the government’s claims that his arrest was not politically motivated.
In a concerning development, police also detained at least ten journalists in early morning raids, raising alarm about press freedom in Turkey. Reports indicate that 123 police officers have been injured during the protests, as the government asserts it will not tolerate what it describes as "terrorizing of the streets."
As protests continue, young demonstrators gathered near the Besiktas port in Istanbul, preparing for a larger rally outside city hall later in the day. The situation remains tense as both sides brace for what could be another night of confrontation.