Istanbul erupts: Residents defy ban in protest over mass arrests
Residents of Istanbul ignored the four-day demonstration ban imposed by the authorities and took to 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 Erdoğan.
A few days before he was to be announced as a candidate in the presidential elections, Istanbul Mayor and opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested by Turkish police as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and ties to terrorism.
Together with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'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 mass arrests despite today's four-day demonstration ban. Security forces blocked roads around Istanbul, leading to the police headquarters. Riot police are present, and water cannons have been set up. Several underground stations have also been closed.
Demonstrators marched towards the central police station in Istanbul, where İmamoğlu 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 criticised the mass arrests, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer called them a "serious blow to democracy." İmamoğlu himself wrote on 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. Erdoğan cannot run for office again. The only way he could participate would be a constitutional amendment or early elections before the end of his term.
The day before the main rival's detention, Istanbul University revoked his diploma. This action prevents İmamoğlu from running in the presidential elections - according to the law, only individuals with higher education can run for the presidency.
