Turkish authorities have detained nearly 1,500 people, including an AFP photographer, as widespread protests continue across the country following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. The opposition has condemned the move as politically motivated, sparking the largest demonstrations Turkey has seen in over a decade.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has responded with a heavy crackdown, with seven journalists covering the protests remanded in custody by an Istanbul court. The detentions, along with violent clashes between protesters and security forces, have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and international organisations.
Despite the crackdown, thousands continue to take to the streets, demanding Imamoglu’s release and calling for early elections. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel has urged supporters to gather for a mass rally in Istanbul on Saturday, branding it as the “largest open-air referendum in history.”
All you need to know about the protests in Turkey
Why are people protesting?
The demonstrations erupted after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. A prominent opposition figure and seen as Erdogan’s main political challenger, Imamoglu’s detention has been widely perceived as an attempt to suppress dissent ahead of upcoming elections. The protests have since spread nationwide, with students, opposition supporters, and activists rallying against what they call an assault on democracy.
US expresses ‘concerns’ over arrests, protests in Turkey
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday voiced US “concerns” to Turkey’s foreign minister over arrests and large protests in the country, an American official said.
“The Secretary expressed concerns regarding recent arrests and protests in Türkiye,” a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement released after the meeting between Rubio and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Washington in which the two also discussed cooperation on security and trade.
Government’s response and crackdown on media
Authorities have taken a hardline stance against the unrest, detaining 1,418 people for participating in “illegal demonstrations,” according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Riot police have used water cannons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, leading to violent clashes. Erdogan has dismissed the protests as “street terror” and vowed to take strong action against demonstrators.
Journalists covering the protests have also been targeted, with at least seven reporters jailed, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul. Paris-based Agence France-Presse has strongly condemned Akgul’s arrest, stating he was merely documenting events and not participating in the demonstrations. “His imprisonment is unacceptable,” AFP chairman Fabrice Fries wrote in a letter to the Turkish presidency.
Opposition’s next move: Mass rally planned
The Republican People’s Party (CHP), led by Ozgur Ozel, has announced a large-scale protest in Istanbul’s Maltepe district on Saturday. Addressing demonstrators, Ozel stated, “We have had enough and we want early elections,” urging citizens to take a stand against the government’s actions.
The opposition has also appointed an acting mayor for Istanbul in an effort to prevent Erdogan’s government from installing a state-appointed replacement for Imamoglu.
International reactions and calls for action
The escalating crisis has drawn global concern. The United Nations has criticised Turkey’s “unlawful blanket ban on protests,” urging authorities to investigate reports of excessive force. The Council of Europe condemned the “disproportionate” use of police action, while Human Rights Watch described the situation as a “dark time for democracy” in Turkey.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns over the mass arrests and protests during a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Despite international pressure, Erdogan’s administration has shown no sign of backing down.
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