Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared before prosecutors on Saturday after spending three nights in custody. His arrest, which came just days before he was expected to be named the CHP’s 2028 presidential candidate, sparked nationwide protests.
Mass Protests and Police Crackdown
For the third night in a row, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. They ignored protest bans and defied President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s warnings. Meanwhile, police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that authorities arrested over 340 protesters.
Overnight Raids and Widening Investigations
Overnight, police raided multiple homes. However, officials have not revealed how many more people were detained. Imamoglu, along with six others, faces charges of aiding and abetting the banned Kurdish militant group PKK.
Corruption Allegations and Legal Pressure
Authorities have also accused Imamoglu of bribery, extortion, and fraud. They are investigating him along with 99 other suspects. On Friday, police questioned him for six hours about the corruption case.
His lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, insisted that Imamoglu is innocent. He called the charges baseless and politically motivated. “These accusations are false and violate his right to a fair trial,” Pehlivan wrote on X.
Imamoglu Praises Protesters
Despite his detention, Imamoglu sent a message through his lawyers. He thanked the protesters and said he felt "honored and proud" of those standing up for democracy.
Opposition Speaks Out as Economy Reacts
Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel addressed a massive crowd outside Istanbul City Hall. He claimed 300,000 people had joined the demonstration despite Erdogan’s threats. Protesters held banners and chanted, "Don’t stay silent, or it will be you next."
At the same time, Imamoglu’s arrest shook Turkey’s financial markets. The Turkish lira fell, and the BIST 100 stock index dropped nearly eight percent on Friday.
What Comes Next?
Imamoglu is set to face questioning at the Caglayan courthouse at 1800 GMT. Meanwhile, protesters have vowed to keep demonstrating, raising fears of more unrest in the days ahead.