Turmoil in Turkey: Bans on gatherings and Imamoglu controversy
The authorities of Ankara and Izmir decided on Tuesday to extend the ban on gatherings in these cities. Meanwhile, the Istanbul prosecutor's office ordered the removal of posters of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor suspended from his duties by the government.
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, it is effective until March 29. In Istanbul, the ban that was introduced last week remains in effect until Thursday. These decisions were made by governors appointed by the President of Turkey at the request of the Ministry of Interior.
Removal of Imamoglu's posters
The Istanbul prosecutor's office ordered the removal of posters of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor who was suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior and sent to prison on 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 an Istanbul shopping centre, a gas station, and a bookstore chain.
"We do not want politics practised with insults"
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 that "he does not accept insults thrown at our mothers, who are as sacred as water, air, and bread."
We do not want politics practised with insults. Those who insult the families of political opponents are not one of us. I perceive this incident as if the insults were directed at my own mother, wrote the CHP leader on platform X.
The offensive slogans were also criticized by Imamoglu's wife, Dilek, and the mayor of Ankara from CHP, Mansur Yavas.
