A formal arrest has been made of a rival to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who now faces charges of corruption.
Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, is poised to be chosen as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for the 2028 presidential election in a vote scheduled for Sunday.
Imamoglu has refuted the allegations, asserting in a social media statement, “I will never bow.”
The detention on Wednesday has ignited some of the most significant protests in over a decade. President Erdogan has denounced the protests, alleging that the CHP is attempting to “disrupt the peace and divide our citizens.”
On Saturday, the atmosphere outside the mayor’s office in Istanbul was thick with tear gas, even before the protests had officially commenced.
As the evening progressed, the throngs of people swelled, making breathing increasingly tricky as successive rounds were discharged to scatter the protesters.
In a bold display of defiance against a government ban on gatherings, individuals of all ages gathered to protest, chanting “rights, law, justice” in response to what they perceived as an unlawful detention.
A young woman, clad in black and donning a face mask, shared with the BBC that her presence at the gathering was not motivated by political affiliations or support for the opposition but rather a commitment to defending democracy.
My presence is driven by a pursuit of justice and a commitment to liberty. We are individuals who value our freedom, and this is something that the Turkish populace cannot accept. This action contradicts our established behaviour and cultural norms.
A mother attending the protests with her 11-year-old son expressed her concerns for his future, emphasising the importance of involving him in the current social issues.
Life in Turkey is becoming increasingly challenging, with individuals losing control over their lives. The freedom to make personal choices seems restricted, and many express concerns about the absence of genuine justice in the country.
The reluctance of individuals to disclose their names or reveal their identities during interviews with the BBC speaks volumes about the prevailing atmosphere of fear or concern.
On Saturday night, numerous individuals took to the streets, risking arrest, to express their commitment to a future they find credible, as reported by the BBC.
In the cities of Ankara and Izmir, law enforcement utilised water cannons to disperse demonstrators.
Over the last four nights, many individuals have gathered in the streets throughout Turkey, participating in predominantly peaceful demonstrations.
To quell the escalating street demonstrations, authorities imposed a four-day ban on all gatherings in Istanbul. This measure was later extended to Ankara and Izmir as protests proliferated nationwide.
Since Thursday, riot police have engaged in multiple confrontations with protestors, employing pepper gas and water cannons against the gathered crowds of demonstrators.
On Friday night, Turkish authorities reported the arrest of 343 individuals during the third day of nationwide protests.
Imamoglu has emerged as a significant challenger to Erdogan’s political dominance. He is the sole contender in the CHP’s presidential candidate selection, scheduled for this Sunday.
On Wednesday, he found himself among a group of over 100 individuals, which included fellow politicians, journalists, and business people, who were detained in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu’s degree one day before his arrest, citing alleged irregularities. This action, if maintained, raises significant questions about his eligibility to run for president.
The Turkish constitution stipulates that individuals must have completed higher education to serve as president.
For 22 years, Erdogan has served in Turkey’s highest political offices, first as prime minister and currently as president. Due to the constraints of term limits, he faces the prospect of being unable to seek re-election in 2028 unless he pursues a constitutional amendment.
Critics assert that political motives drive the arrests. The Ministry of Justice has pushed back against claims that President Erdogan is connected to the arrests, emphasising the importance of judicial independence.
