Pikachu in protest: Clashes in Ankara over Imamoglu arrest
In Ankara, clashes are ongoing between police and protesters opposed to the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. The police have used pepper spray, water cannons, and rubber bullets. There are recordings of the protests online. In one of them, there's a surprising sight—someone fleeing from the authorities dressed as Pikachu.
Pikachu is one of the primary characters in the Pokémon series, which reached peak popularity two decades ago. The popularity of the cartoon has not diminished, as seen during the protest in Turkey, where a daring individual donned the costume of the yellow Pokémon.
In one recording, protesters are shown running from the pursuing police. Amidst the crowd, one figure stands out—the person in the Pikachu costume.
Protests in Turkey: authorities arrest Imamoglu
It should be noted that for a week, Turkey has been experiencing intense protests following the arrest of opposition mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu. On Thursday morning, in the country's capital, Ankara, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces. The police deployed pepper spray, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
At the gates of Ankara Polytechnic, students gathered intending to read their statement and begin a march through the city streets. However, their plans were thwarted by police intervention. The young people, trying to defend themselves, constructed a barricade from rubbish bins.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that over the past week, 1,418 individuals have been detained in connection with the protests. The demonstrations, primarily organised by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), are taking place in Turkey's largest cities, with hundreds of thousands of people participating.
Controversies surrounding Imamoglu
Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on 19 March on charges of corruption and ties to a terrorist organisation. Nonetheless, in Sunday's primary elections, the CHP chose him as their candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. Imamoglu is perceived as the main rival to the current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The authorities have temporarily suspended Imamoglu from his role as mayor, causing a wave of dissatisfaction among his supporters. Protests that began in Istanbul quickly spread to other cities, including Ankara. The situation in Turkey remains tense, and the protests continue. The authorities have not yet released the exact number of individuals detained during the latest clashes in Ankara.
