Turkish authorities detained nine journalists who covered protests in multiple cities. The Journalists Union of Turkey reported the arrests. However, officials did not immediately explain the reason for their detention.
Imamoglu’s Arrest Sparks Outrage
On Sunday, a Turkish court jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. He is President Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival. As a result, Turkey witnessed its largest protests in over a decade.
Protests Continue Despite Restrictions
Despite bans on public gatherings, people kept protesting for the fifth consecutive night. Most demonstrations remained peaceful, showing strong opposition to the court’s decision.
Opposition Calls for Action
Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), urged citizens to protest. They called the court’s ruling politically motivated and unfair. However, the government denied these claims, insisting that the judiciary operates independently.
Imamoglu Rejects Charges
In response, Imamoglu denied all accusations. He described them as "unimaginable accusations and slanders." Additionally, he called on people across the country to join protests.
Opposition Vows to Keep Protesting
On Sunday, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed protesters in Istanbul’s Sarachane district. He promised to continue demonstrations until Imamoglu is released.
Journalist Among the Detained
Furthermore, a photographer from Agence France-Presse (AFP) was among those detained. The Journalists' Union confirmed this in a post on X.
Bu sabah yapılan operasyonlarda NOW Muhabiri Ali Onur Tosun, foto muhabir Bülent Kılıç, gazeteci Zeynep Kuray, AFP muhabiri Yasin Akgül, gazeteci Hayri Tunç, İBB foto muhabiri Kurtuluş Arı, https://t.co/hTNXq26NI9 muhabiri Zişan Gür ve BirGün yazarı Barış İnce gözaltına alındı.… pic.twitter.com/wULzSUjDjL
— DİSK Basın-İş (@diskbasinis) March 24, 2025