Hundreds of thousands of Turks have taken to the streets in Istanbul to protest against the jailing of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival. The demonstration is the largest in over a decade and shows unity among opposition groups.
Imamoglu was detained last week on graft charges and has been jailed pending trial. The case against him has been described as politicized by opponents, who claim it’s an attempt to eliminate a potential electoral threat to Erdogan.
Protesters gathered at Maltepe in Istanbul, waving flags and banners calling for Imamoglu’s release. Police maintained tight security. Demonstrators cited historical examples of resistance against oppression, saying justice will be served eventually.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party has called for a boycott of pro-Erdogan media outlets, while the government claims the courts are independent and there is no influence over the judiciary. The protests have resulted in nearly 2,000 detentions, but authorities say the economy will remain unaffected.
Turkish financial assets have plummeted since Imamoglu’s detention, prompting the central bank to intervene. Erdogan has dismissed the protests as a “show” and warned of legal consequences.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/03/30/turkey-istanbul-protests-erdogan-rival/82728829007