For the third consecutive day, protesters have gathered outside Istanbul’s City Hall, responding to a call from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). The leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, Ozgur Ozel announced that 300,000 people assembled in Istanbul on Friday night to support Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested on Wednesday on charges of “corruption” and “terrorism.” Imamoglu had been expected to secure the CHP nomination for the upcoming presidential elections on Sunday.
“We are here together with 300,000 people,” declared CHP leader Özgür Özel in front of City Hall, where a large crowd of demonstrators had gathered following the party’s call for a “night of democracy.”
Protesters chanted, “Do not remain silent, or soon it will be your turn,” while others held signs with slogans such as “Don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “Justice, law, fairness.”
Clashes Break Out at Opposition Rallies
Tensions escalated as clashes erupted between demonstrators and police in both Istanbul and Izmir during the opposition-led protests in support of İmamoğlu, according to reports from AFP correspondents and Turkish media.
In Istanbul, police reportedly used rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. In Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, security forces deployed water cannons to break up the protests, local television channels reported.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has denied the corruption charges against him, according to a judicial document obtained by Reuters.
“I categorically reject all allegations,” İmamoğlu stated in his defense, as cited in the document.
A prominent opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming presidential elections, Imamoglu was reportedly questioned on at least 40 issues related to public tenders managed by the municipality.
“We will not tolerate the disruption of public order,” Erdogan declared, referring to the call by Ozgur Ozel for citizens to take to the streets following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
