Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Istanbul on Thursday following the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to a report by France 24.
In an attempt to prevent large-scale demonstrations, authorities closed roads, restricted social media, and imposed a four-day protest ban. However, defying these measures, thousands of citizens gathered outside police headquarters, City Hall, and the headquarters of İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) to voice their outrage.
Protesters denounced the arrest as politically motivated, calling it an attack on democracy.
“This is not democracy; it’s a mockery of democracy,” one protester told France 24.
İmamoğlu, along with 100 other individuals, including high-profile aides, has been accused of corruption, extortion, and aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—an organization classified as a terrorist group by Ankara, Washington, and other Turkish allies.
His arrest is widely perceived as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, with critics arguing that Erdoğan is trying to silence political rivals ahead of upcoming elections.
Adding to the controversy, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s bachelor’s degree just a day before his arrest, potentially barring him from running in future elections under Turkish law.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel condemned the arrest, alleging that Erdoğan fears a political defeat and is using legal measures to eliminate strong opponents.
“This is not just political persecution; it is a coup attempt against democracy,” Özel stated.
“They are capable of any evil. This is no longer about politics—it is a matter of Turkey’s survival,” he added.
Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç rejected claims of political interference, insisting that the judiciary operates independently.
“Characterizing legal investigations as a coup attempt is both dangerous and misleading,” Tunç said, emphasizing that courts do not take instructions from the government.
However, the international community remains skeptical. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep concern over İmamoğlu’s detention, reminding Turkey of its obligation to uphold democratic values as an EU candidate country.
“Turkey must respect the rights of elected officials. Commitment to democracy is essential for its European future,” von der Leyen stated.
With tensions rising, İmamoğlu’s arrest has deepened political unrest in Turkey, sparking fears of further crackdowns on the opposition in the run-up to the next elections.