Turkey is witnessing its biggest street uprising in over a decade as the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, ignites mass protests across the country.
Defying Erdogan’s crackdown, hundreds of thousands have flooded the streets, accusing the government of using the judiciary as a political weapon to silence its strongest rival. The protests, which erupted late Friday night, saw demonstrators openly challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s warning that Turkey would not tolerate “street terrorism.”
For the third consecutive night, demonstrators rallied against Imamoglu’s detention—Erdogan’s fiercest political rival—fueling Turkey’s largest unrest in over a decade.
Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, head of the CHP, which called for nationwide protests, addressed a massive crowd in front of Istanbul City Hall, claiming “300,000 people” had gathered.
“This isn’t just a CHP rally—people from all parties are here to stand with Imamoglu and defend democracy,” he declared, as waves of cheers echoed through the sea of protesters.
Erdogan, he accused, is “weaponizing the judiciary to break Imamoglu and seize power in Istanbul. But we won’t let him hand it over to a government-appointed trustee!”
As he spoke, tensions exploded on the protest’s sidelines, with riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Two AFP correspondents covering the chaos were hit in the leg.
Clashes spread to Ankara and the western city of Izmir, where police unleashed water cannons and tear gas at demonstrators, according to AFP and opposition media Halk TV.
“Don’t stay silent, or you’ll be next!” roared protesters in Istanbul, hoisting banners reading: “The people are here—don’t be afraid!” and “Justice, not oppression!”
“We didn’t come out by force. We are here because of Erdogan,” said 56-year-old Necla, wearing a headscarf.
“I don’t believe the allegations against Imamoglu. There’s no one as honest as him,” she told AFP.
Erdogan Clamps Down on Protests
The arrest comes just days before Imamoglu was set to be formally named as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential race.
The protests have rapidly spread from Istanbul to at least 40 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, according to AFP.
As CHP’s Ozel urged nationwide resistance, Erdogan doubled down: “Turkey will not bow to street terror. Let me make this clear—the CHP’s call for protests is a dead end.”
Erdogan accused Ozel of “grave irresponsibility,” fueling speculation that he, too, could be targeted legally.
On Friday, authorities expanded protest bans to Ankara and Izmir. Before the Istanbul rally, they blocked major routes to City Hall, including Galata and Ataturk bridges.
By Thursday, police had already fired rubber bullets and tear gas in Istanbul and Ankara, with 88 demonstrators arrested, Turkish media reported.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya claimed 16 officers had been injured, while 54 people were detained for online posts deemed “incitement to hatred.”
Prosecutors allege Imamoglu is being investigated for “aiding a terrorist organization”—the banned Kurdish PKK militant group—and is also under scrutiny for alleged corruption alongside nearly 100 others.
Markets Plunge as Crisis Deepens
The crackdown has sent shockwaves through Turkey’s economy. On Friday, the Turkish lira took a hit, and the BIST 100 stock exchange plummeted nearly 8% just before 1400 GMT.
Despite Imamoglu’s detention, the CHP vowed to push forward with its primary on Sunday, where it plans to formally nominate him for the 2028 race.
The party declared it would open voting to all, not just party members, calling on citizens: “Come to the ballot box and say ‘no’ to this coup attempt!”
Analysts warn that the government may attempt to block the primary to stifle Imamoglu’s growing momentum.
“If a massive turnout backs Imamoglu, it will cement his legitimacy and take the situation in a direction Erdogan dreads,” said Gonul Tol of the Washington-based Middle East Institute, speaking to AFP.
