Turmoil in Turkey: Mass arrests defy protest bans in Istanbul
Residents of Istanbul ignored the 4-day demonstration ban imposed by authorities and emerged on the streets to protest against today's mass arrests. A total of 100 people were detained, including journalists, politicians, and a key rival of President Erdogan.
A few days before he was to be announced as a candidate in the presidential elections, Istanbul Mayor and opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested by Turkish police as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and ties to terrorism.
Together with Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, as reported by the BBC, politicians, journalists, and businesspeople were detained on Wednesday. In total, about 100 people.
Protests on the streets of Istanbul
Residents of Istanbul took to the streets in large numbers to protest the mass arrests, despite today's 4-day demonstration ban. Security forces blocked roads around Istanbul and those leading to the police headquarters. According to Reuters, riot police are present, and water cannons have been set up. Several subway stations have also been closed.
Demonstrators marched towards the main police station in Istanbul, where Imamoglu was taken. They raised their fists and chanted anti-government slogans, supporting the detained politician. The police have cordoned off the station.
An attack on democracy
Germany criticized the mass arrests, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer called them a "serious setback for democracy." Imamoglu himself wrote in a note that Turkey "will respond to lies, conspiracies, and traps" from those who "steal the people's will." A photo of the note is circulating online.
The Turkish presidential elections are scheduled for 2028. Erdogan cannot run for office again. The only way he could participate would be through a constitutional amendment or early elections before the end of his term.
The day before Imamoglu's detention, Istanbul University revoked his diploma. This action prevents Imamoglu from running in the presidential elections, as, according to the law, only individuals with higher education can run for the presidency.
