Ankara and Izmir extend gathering bans amid political tensions

The governors of Ankara and Izmir have decided to extend the ban on gatherings in these cities. The ban in Ankara is in effect until April 1, and in Izmir until March 29. In Istanbul, the ban introduced last week is in effect until Thursday. These decisions were made by governors appointed by the President of Turkey at the request of the Ministry of Interior.

The Istanbul prosecutor's office ordered the removal of posters of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior. Imamoglu was sent to prison in connection with corruption charges.

The leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, called for a boycott of selected Turkish media and places associated with the government, including a shopping center in Istanbul, a gas station, and a bookstore chain.

One of the main topics of public debate in Turkey is currently the insults directed during Monday's protest in Istanbul at the late mother of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced legal action on this matter.

Both the opposition and Imamoglu condemned the insults. Imamoglu, who wrote from prison on platform X, stated, "I cannot accept insults against our mothers, who I regard as sacred, like bread, water, and air."

On platform X, the CHP leader expressed that politics should not be conducted through insults, stressing that those who attack the families of political opponents do not represent their values. He added that he took the incident personally, as though the insults had been aimed at his mother.

The offensive slogans were also criticized by Imamoglu's wife, Dilek, and the mayor of Ankara from CHP, Mansur Yavas.