Outraged Turks demonstrate over detainment of Istanbul's mayor
Social Media: Share | Retweet | WhatsApp | Mail | Print | Copy Link
In defiance of a protest ban, an outpouring of Istanbul residents gathered outside city hall, protesting the arrest of their mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Reports circulated on social media, accompanied by videos showing demonstrators rallying against the government, chanting "Dictator Erdogan" and demanding a government resignation.
The evening is expected to see more protests, as per requests made by Imamoglu's party (CHP), who have called for a massive rally at 6:30 PM CET. The Istanbul governor's office, however, has decided to ban protests until March 23. This decision was defied by the CHP, who view the arrest of Imamoglu as part of a "civilian coup" orchestrated by Erdogan's government to silence political opposition.
Turkey's justice minister, Yilmaz Tunc, dismissed such accusations, labeling them as "unacceptable."
Imamoglu was detained earlier that day, just days before he was set to be nominated as the presidential candidate of Turkey's largest opposition party. CHP leaders argue that the arrest was politically motivated, given the upcoming elections.
Public discontent with the arrest has been widespread, with thousands flocking to the streets to express dissent. This was not the first time demonstrators blatantly disregarded the ban on public gatherings in protest against the mayor's arrest. In universities across Istanbul and Ankara, students also took part in these demonstrations.
Both the international community and human rights organizations have voiced their concern over the arrest, with the Council of Europe and Human Rights Watch commenting on the erosion of democracy within Turkey. The event has contributed to worsening economic conditions and heightened political tensions in the country. The EU has also expressed worry over the direction Turkey is headed, under Erdogan's rule.
- The CHP, Imamoglu's party, has been adamant that the arrest was part of a "civilian coup" orchestrated by Erdogan's government, an allegation dismissed by Turkey's justice minister, Yilmaz Tunc.
- Despite the Istanbul governor's office banning protests until March 23, Imamoglu's supporters, including university students in Istanbul and Ankara, have repeatedly defied the ban, demonstrating against the mayor's arrest in violation of the protest ban.
- The repeated disregard for the protest ban and subsequent demonstrations, such as the one organized by the CHP at 6:30 PM CET, have raised concerns from the international community, human rights organizations, and the European Union, citing the erosion of democracy within Turkey, worsening economic conditions, and heightened political tensions.
