Rejecting Arbitrariness, Demonstrations in Türkiye Spread, Students Become the Driving Force of the Movement

ISTANBUL, FRIDAY - Protests in Turkey have resumed and are increasingly widespread, even leading to clashes with the police on Thursday (20/3/2025). The protests occurred as a result of the arrest and detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday (19/3/2025). The detention is suspected to be an attempt to remove Imamoglu from the presidential candidate race for the 2028 election. The treatment of Imamoglu is considered undemocratic.

In Istanbul, protesters hung banners of Imamoglu and Turkey's founding leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk alongside the Turkish flag. "Tayyip, step down!" shouted the crowd of thousands, most of whom were students.

The call sent a strong message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Protesters also chanted anti-government slogans over the past two days. "This is not a one-day protest; we will defend our rights until the end," said Basak Cohce (24), a student at Galatasaray University outside City Hall.

"We are here on the streets to voice our opinions; young people like me will not remain silent," said Yavuz (19), a student from Istanbul Technical University.

"They hastily detained our Mayor, whom we elected with our votes. I do not consider this a democratic practice, and I condemn it," said Ali Izar, a resident of Istanbul.

Imamoglu (54) is known as the popular Mayor of Istanbul. He is one of the prominent figures from the opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), and is also a key political rival of Erdogan.

The detention of Imamoglu, the two-term mayor, has drawn widespread criticism and condemnation. CHP criticized Imamoglu's detention as a political maneuver aimed at undermining electoral prospects and silencing dissent. Erdogan dismissed the opposition's views and criticisms, labeling the detention of Imamoglu as "theatrics" and "slogans."

CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel said Imamoglu's detention sent a message that Erdogan was afraid to face the mayor in the election. That is why Erdogan wanted to remove Imamoglu from the political game and cut off the CHP's ties with Imamoglu.

However, Ozel stressed that any move to bar Imamoglu from running for president in the 2028 general election would only strengthen the CHP's support for him. The CHP is set to name Imamoglu as its presidential candidate on Sunday in a scheduled vote.

“We are confident that Imamoglu will win. If his candidacy is blocked, we are confident that this will turn into much bigger support,” Ozel told Reuters. “The nation will never forgive anyone who tries to deprive the legitimacy of the vote,” he said in a small room at Istanbul City Hall as the rally got underway.

Türkiye is scheduled to hold elections to elect a new president in 2028. In opinion polls, Imamoglu has emerged as a strong candidate.

Erdogan (71), who has been in office for 22 years, wants to run again. Legally, he is no longer allowed to run again. However, he wants to change the constitution so that his path can be smooth again.

At a dinner for former party members in Ankara, Erdogan said the opposition party was trying to cover up its mistakes. “The issues it is facing are not the issues of the country, but the issues of a handful of opportunists at their headquarters,” he said.

The Turkish government then warned many parties not to associate Erdogan or politics with Imamoglu's arrest. The Turkish government said the judiciary acted independently.

The statement was made in response to criticism that the arrest was politically motivated. But citizens saw it differently, and Imamoglu's detention has sparked protests across Türkiye.

On Thursday, the demonstrations entered their second day and spread to major cities in Türkiye. In addition to Istanbul, residents and students also filled the main streets of Izmir and Ankara.

Authorities imposed a four-day lockdown across the city. The government then banned public gatherings during the lockdown. Authorities also restricted access to some social media to curb communication.

But a wave of protests erupted in many places, defying the ban. They expressed anger over Imamoglu's detention. Protesters also called for a protest at Istanbul City Hall, while police closed several roads across the country.

In rallies in Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul, as well as at universities, some protesters clashed with police. Police used water cannon to disperse crowds in the capital Ankara and the western city of Izmir on Thursday night.

The government said six police officers were injured during the demonstrations in Istanbul. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also said 37 people had been detained for posting provocative online content.

Instead, Ozel warned police against provoking protesters by firing tear gas or rubber bullets. “If that happens, Istanbul police will be held accountable,” he warned from a podium at Istanbul City Hall.

Ozel stressed that Imamoglu was not involved in corruption or terror. Ozel then warned Erdogan that the demonstrations would not stop. "I did not fill these squares and streets. You did. They are all full because of you," he said.

From his detention, Imamoglu posted a tweet on social media platform X, voicing his call. “These events have gone beyond the boundaries of our political parties or ideals. It is time for us to voice our opinions,” Imamoglu tweeted.

Imamoglu also urged the state and judiciary to take a stand against what his party described as a political coup.

Imamoglu's arrest also sent Türkiye's financial markets into a tailspin, with shares on the Istanbul bourse plunging and the Turkish Central Bank raising interest rates.

Imamoglu's arrest also dealt a heavy blow to the Turkish lira. Türkiye's central bank said it was drawing down on foreign reserves to prevent further damage to the currency.

Human Rights Watch called for Imamoglu's immediate release from police custody and urged Erdogan's government to ensure that the criminal justice system is not weaponized for political ends. (AFP/REUTERS)