Thomas McIntosh
BBC News
Getty Images
Thousands of protesters have gathered in Istanbul for seven nights to support the city’s detained mayor, Ekrem Imamoguru
Thousands of Türkiye have come across a seven-night protest where more than 1,400 people, including students, journalists and lawyers, are in custody.
The nightly unrest began last Wednesday when Mayor Ekrem Imamogul, considered President Receptacle Tayip Erdogan’s major political rival, was arrested on corruption charges.
Rights groups and the United Nations have condemned police arrests and use of force against protesters.
Imamoguru said the allegations against him were politically motivated. The allegations denied by the Turkish president.
Speaking to a group of young people at a quick Ramadan meal in Ankara on Tuesday, President Erdogan sought patience and common sense in what he described as a “very sensitive day.”
He added that “people who want to turn this country into a chaotic place can’t go anywhere,” adding that the roads adopted by the protesters were “a dead end.”
On Tuesday evening, thousands of students from many universities in Istanbul met at Makkah Park before marching towards Chashri.
Reuters
Türkiye’s major opposition parties said Tuesday will be their last night vigil in Istanbul, but they called for a massive rallies on Saturday to demand early elections.
Authorities in Istanbul have banned protests and closed several roads “to maintain public order” and “to prevent provocative actions that may occur.”
When students marched through the Nisantasi district, they chanted “Government, resignation!” He then waved the flags and banners seen by the massive deployment of riot police.
Many students admitted that their faces were covered in scarves and masks, which they feared being identified by police.
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), said the rally outside Istanbul City Hall on Tuesday will be the last one each night, and that it plans a rally in the city on Saturday.
“Are you ready for a big gathering in Istanbul’s big square on Saturday?” Ozgar Ozel told the crowd.
“We support Imamoguru, oppose his arrest, and oppose the detention of each mayor. We demand a transparent and open live broadcast trial to say we have enough and want an early election.”
Reuters
Protests have been taking place across Türkiye over the past week, including the largest city of Istanbul and the capital Ankara
Since last Wednesday, the Turkish home minister said 1,418 protesters have been detained after days of demonstrations that the government deemed “illegal.”
Social Media Post Ali Yerlikaya wrote:
“There will be no concessions to those who terrorize the streets and attack national and moral values, as well as police officers.”
EPA
Turkish riot police officers use pepper spray to disperse protesters in Istanbul on Monday
Elsewhere on Tuesday, seven journalists appeared in court.
AFP president Fabrice Fries wrote a letter to the Turkish president, urging Erdogan to “intervene” in the imprisonment of Aggle, who described it as “unacceptable.”
“Yasin Akguil was not part of the protest,” Freeth said. “As a journalist, he was covering one of the many demonstrations that have been organised in the country since Wednesday, March 19th.
“He has taken exactly 187 photos since the start of the protests, each one being a witness to his work as a journalist.”
In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “concerns” following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the US State Department said in a statement.
Watch: Ross Atkins-on… Turkish media crackdown
Imamoguru was one of more than 100 people who were detained last week as part of the investigation. Others arrested included politicians, journalists and businessmen.
His arrest does not prevent him from running or election as president, but if he is convicted of any of the charges against him, he cannot run.
The opposition mayor is considered one of Erdogan’s most terrifying rivals, having been in Türkiye for 22 years as both prime minister and president.
Erdogan’s term of office is expected to expire in 2028, and under current rules he can’t hold back again, but he can call early elections or change the constitution to allow him to remain in power for longer.
The Turkish Ministry of Justice criticized those who linked Erdogan to the arrest and advocated for its judicial independence.
