Mass Protests Erupt Across Turkey Following Imamoğlu’s Arrest.
Turkey has witnessed widespread protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, with authorities confirming the detention of 1,133 demonstrators in just five days.
The Turkish government has accused protesters of “abusing” their right to demonstrate and warned that “terrorising the streets” will not be tolerated. The unrest began after Imamoğlu, a prominent opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was detained last Wednesday on corruption charges—allegations he has denied, calling them politically motivated.
Despite his arrest, Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has officially named Imamoğlu as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. The decision follows a symbolic primary vote on Sunday, which party leaders claim saw nearly 15 million participants.
However, Imamoğlu’s political future remains uncertain. Alongside his legal battle, Istanbul University recently announced plans to revoke his degree over alleged irregularities. If upheld, this decision could disqualify him from running for president, as Turkish law requires candidates to have completed higher education. His lawyers have pledged to appeal.
As protests continue, the situation remains tense, with both Imamoğlu’s supporters and Turkish authorities bracing for further developments.
