Turkish cities extend protest bans amid Imamoglu controversy

The governors of Ankara and Izmir have decided to extend the ban on gatherings in these cities. In Ankara, this ban is in effect until 1st April, and in Izmir, until 29th March. In Istanbul, the ban introduced last week remains in place until Thursday. These decisions were made by governors appointed by the President of Turkey at the behest of the Ministry of Interior.

The Istanbul prosecutor's office ordered the removal of posters of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior. Imamoglu was imprisoned in connection with corruption charges.

The leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, called for a boycott of certain Turkish media and places associated with the government, including a shopping centre in Istanbul, a petrol station, and a bookshop chain.

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 issue.

Both the opposition and Imamoglu condemned the insults. Imamoglu, who wrote from prison on platform X, stated, "I cannot accept insults against our mothers, who I regard as sacred, like bread, water, and air."

On platform X, the CHP leader expressed that politics should not be conducted through insults, stressing that those who attack the families of political opponents do not represent their values. He added that he took the incident personally, as though the insults had been aimed at his mother.

The offensive slogans were also criticised by Imamoglu's wife, Dilek, and the mayor of Ankara from CHP, Mansur Yavas.