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Protesters are against protests on the streets of Türkiye and the ban on the fierce presence of police
President Receptacle Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the growing protests in Turkey days after the arrest of key opposition.
In a speech Friday, Erdogan said his government would not “subjugate” or “street terrorism” ahead of more planned protests. “We will not accept the chaos of public order.”
On Wednesday, police detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoguru.
Government critics gathered in Turkish cities in protest, and again crowds accumulated in Istanbul and Izmir on Friday, denying a ban on demonstrations. On Thursday, 53 people were arrested in protest, the Home Minister said.
Ozgul Ozel – the Secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), leader of Imamogul’s party, called for a third night protest outside Istanbul City Hall at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT), and said the president was afraid of protest.
He also asked the other Turkey to demonstrate peacefully at the same time wherever they are in the country.
“Don’t hurt the police, break the barricades and take them to the streets and squares,” he said.
Authorities have sought to curb street demonstrations by banning all rallies in Istanbul for four days, announced shortly after their arrests on Wednesday.
They then expanded the order to coastal cities in Ankara and western Izmir as protests spread.
Prior to Friday’s protest, Istanbul’s pro-Erdogan ordered the closure of the Galata and Ataturk bridges.
Home Minister Ali Yarikaya has similarly criticised the demonstrations and called the opposition “irresponsible.”
He said another 54 people have been arrested for violating the law “incites the people with hatred and hostility.”
Since his arrest on Wednesday, tens of thousands have gathered throughout Türkiye. There is an increasing number of clashes with police sent to disperse demonstrations that fired tear gas and pepper sprays.
Yerlikaya added that 16 police officers were injured in the demonstration.
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Police clashed with demonstrators on Thursday night.
Arrested by Imamoguru and others have followed major national crackdowns in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, journalists and entertainment industry figures.
Opposition figures say the arrests are politically motivated. However, the Justice Department has criticized those who have linked Erdogan to arrest and advocated for independence in the judiciary.
Imamoguru won his second term last year as mayor of Istanbul. His CHP party took the local elections there.
It was the first time his party has been defeated nationwide in the ballot box since Erdogan came to power.
The election was also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became mayor of Istanbul with a rise in power.
Erdogan has been in office for the past 22 years as both the prime minister and president of Turkish. Due to time limits, he will not be able to re-inaust in 2028 unless he changes the constitution.
The CHP presidential candidate selection, with 1.5 million members, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, as Imamoguru is the only person.
The party has also asked its citizens to vote in symbolic elections, and plans to place ballot boxes in Turkish districts to show support for detained mayors.
