Thousands join Turkiye’s Istanbul to protest mayor’s arrest | Political News

Thousands gather near Istanbul’s town hall to support the city’s recently arrested mayor.

To support the city’s arrested mayor, thousands of protesters joined the march in Istanbul, defiing warnings from Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan and denied warnings that authorities would crack down on “street terrorism.”

Protesters showed support for Erdogan’s major political rival, Ekrem Imamogul, for the third day in a row, on the streets of Torquier’s commercial hub on Friday.

Opposition leader Ozgar Ozel said more than 300,000 people joined the protests across Istanbul.

“We’re 300,000,” the CHP leader told the enormous crowd in front of city hall, saying protesters gathered in some of the largest cities in the country as roads and bridges closures prevent people from being all in one place.

The mayor was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of corruption and “terror” links. Dozens of other prominent figures, including journalists and businessmen, were also taken into custody. After being detained, the government announced a four-day ban on political demonstrations.

The arrest was effectively disqualified from presidential competition as the university was effectively required to obtain a university degree to run for the country’s highest office under the Turkish constitution, the day after the Istanbul university invalidated its diploma in Imamoguru.

Imamoguru said he will challenge the decision of Istanbul University.

Erdogan said on Friday that the government would not tolerate street protests and that the Republican People’s Party (CHP) of Imamogul will condemn corruption and ties with “terrorist” organisations.

“The anti-corruption operations in Istanbul are being used as an excuse to stir up anxiety on our streets. We hope that only a handful of opportunists will not allow Torkiyer to bring anxiety just to protect the looting scheme,” Erdogan said.

Government critics viewed Imamogul’s arrest as an attempt to remove Erdogan’s key challenger from Torkier’s next national vote.

Government officials rejected accusations that legal action against opposition figures were politically motivated, claiming that the Torquier courts would operate independently.

In a report from Istanbul, Axel Zaimovic of Al Jazeera said there were “many college students” in the protest outside the Istanbul municipal building.

“They say they are protesting the arrest of Imamoguru and the decision of Istanbul University to cancel Imamoguru’s diploma,” he said.

Zaimovic also said that protesters “intentionally the movement is not to support one political party, but to send a message to Turkish society about “systematic injustice.”

“Many people say that the right to represent an individual is being challenged by these latest developments,” he added.

Protests over Imamoguru’s arrest began in Istanbul on Wednesday and quickly spread to 32 states of 81 Turkiye’s provinces, according to AFP news agency counts.

Turkiye’s main opposition party, CHP, had intended to make Imamoguru the presidential candidate on Sunday, but described his arrest as a “coup.”

“Don’t stay quiet! Otherwise they will come for you,” the protester cried. Many people held aloft placards with slogans such as “Don’t be afraid, people are here” and “Rights, Laws, Justice.”

At least 88 protesters have been arrested since the outbreak, Turkish media reported.

Police are also detaining 54 more people for online post authorities, he said, which are considered “inciting hatred.”

Imamogul was elected Torkier’s biggest city mayor in March 2019 for his historic blow to Erdogan and the President’s Justice and Development Party.