Thousands of protesters continue to demonstrate in Istanbul following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 election.
On Monday evening, tens of thousands gathered outside Istanbul City Hall, waving flags and chanting in support of Imamoglu. Clashes broke out between demonstrators and police, leading to several arrests and the use of tear gas to disperse crowds.
Imamoglu was jailed on Sunday pending trial on corruption charges, following allegations of operating a criminal organization, bribery, extortion, and bid-rigging. Prosecutors had sought terror-related charges, but the court denied that request. His arrest triggered the largest wave of protests Turkey has seen in over a decade.
Opposition leaders and some government officials have dismissed the charges, insisting on judicial independence. Meanwhile, President Erdogan accused opposition leader Ozgur Ozel of inciting unrest and warned of political and legal consequences for the protests.
Imamoglu’s imprisonment is widely viewed as a strategic move to sideline a strong presidential contender. Addressing the crowd, Ozel credited the protesters’ persistence for preventing Erdogan from appointing a caretaker in Imamoglu’s place.
