Turkish Authorities Arrest Over 300 Protesters Amid Outrage Over Istanbul Mayor’s Detention

By Kardo Roj

ISTANBUL, Turkey (North Press) – Turkish authorities detained more than 300 protesters overnight as demonstrations erupted across the country against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rivals.

The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that 343 people were arrested during Friday night protests in at least 12 cities, including Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.

İmamoğlu, a key opposition leader from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on Wednesday on charges of corruption and alleged ties to a “terrorist group,” accusations his supporters claim are politically motivated. The mayor, who won Istanbul’s municipal elections twice despite opposition from Erdoğan’s government, has long been seen as a leading contender in future presidential elections.

His arrest triggered widespread protests, with demonstrators chanting slogans against Erdoğan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, a historic site of political demonstrations in Turkey.

The Turkish Interior Ministry defended the crackdown, stating that the arrests were necessary to prevent “public disorder.” Officials warned that authorities would not tolerate “chaos and provocations.”

However, opposition leaders and international observers have condemned the arrests, arguing that they signal a further erosion of democratic freedoms in Turkey. Human rights organizations have called on Ankara to release the detainees and respect the right to peaceful assembly.

The detention of İmamoğlu and the subsequent crackdown on protesters have raised concerns about political stability in Turkey ahead of upcoming elections. As tensions continue to rise, analysts warn that the government’s actions could deepen political polarization and fuel further unrest.