Ed Jones/AFP
Anti-government protests broke out in Turkey after the arrest of popular Istanbul mayor
British Act and Robbie Williams face pressure from Turkish opposing supporters to scrap the country’s summer tour over allegations that local concert organizers have shamed anti-government protesters.
Abdulkadir Ozkan accused several protesters of the actions of treason before expressing regret over the “misunderstanding.”
Turkey was sued in protest after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoguru was arrested on March 19 on suspicion of corruption.
The popular mayor was scheduled to run for presidency in the 2028 election. His supporters view his arrest as a political move by President Receptacle Tayyip Erdogan.
Two British acts called for the concert to be cancelled after Ozkan went to social media to condemn the fight that broke out in a coffee shop boycotted by protesters.
“Simple and simple, this is hostility towards the capital. It’s an act of treason,” he said in X.
He later posted another message, explaining that his comments were not intended to be “constitutional right to protest,” and he described the misunderstanding as “deeply regretful.”
Since March 19, police have detained nearly 2,000 people, many of whom are college students.
The controversy over the concert is consistent with the broader demands of national boycotts in Turkey, which have been criticized by the government as economic sabotage.
Muse and Robbie Williams’ social media accounts are flooded with comments calling for the concert to be cancelled.
“You played a big role in shaping the taste of my music,” one post wrote.
Singer Gay Su Akhil, a popular Turkish artist, brought X to a personal appeal with Muse, Robbie Williams and Norwegian singer Ane Brun.
“I’ve been respecting your work for years, but I know how much you mean to many,” she said. “However, the organizers are on the boycott list of the democratic movement, so no one will attend your Istanbul concert, either. Solidarity is important.”
Pascal Schmidt/Hans Lucas/AFP
Gay Suakior, who performed last year in 2023, personally appealed to the boycott of the concert.
As pressure rises, Abdulqadir Ozkan announced on Tuesday that his company will “withdraw from all projects” in connection with the two concerts.
A statement from the promoter to the BBC Türkiye said that the concert will be organized by another company determined by the artist.
Some fans say that it’s not enough.
Muse and Robbie Williams have not been published so far.
The BBC reached out to Robby Williams’ management team, but has not yet received a response.
Tickets for the October show in Istanbul are still available online, but Muse tickets for June 11th are scheduled to go on sale Thursday.
Norwegian singer Ane Brun canceled her concert.
“I decided not to play in Istanbul this October… Unfortunately, this is not the right time,” she said in an Instagram post.
The show in Istanbul by South African comedian Trevanoa, promoted by the company of Ozkan, also cancelled on April 23, but for no reason.
As part of the anti-Erdogan protest, the People’s Party of Imamogul’s opposition Republican Party called for a boycott of companies that say they support the government.
Party leader Ozgar Ozel supported calls from students on Wednesday to stop all shopping, with some stores closed in solidarity.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the call was “destined to fail” as it threatened social harmony and economic stability.
