Ankara has strongly criticized the Republican People's Party (CHP) for urging protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, calling the move irresponsible as unrest spreads across Turkiye’s major cities.
Protests erupted on Thursday in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with demonstrators clashing with police despite a government-imposed ban on public gatherings. Security forces and protesters suffered injuries, while authorities erected barricades to block access to key areas.
CHP leader Ozgür Ozel renewed his call for protests on Friday, despite growing criticism. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc condemned the opposition’s stance, warning that street demonstrations over an ongoing legal case were unlawful. Yerlikaya reported that 326 online accounts had been flagged for inciting unrest, 72 of which were linked to foreign entities.
The Ankara and Izmir governorates extended protest bans to five days, meaning such restrictions now cover Turkiye’s three largest cities.
Imamoglu, 54, was taken into custody on Wednesday on charges of corruption and alleged ties to the PKK terrorist group through municipal hiring practices. Authorities accuse him and 99 others of bribery, fraud, and illegally acquiring personal data, while separate charges claim he facilitated the PKK’s influence within the city’s administration.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced CHP’s reaction as "political theatrics", accusing the opposition of misleading the public rather than addressing the legal allegations with evidence. He insisted that the judiciary remains independent and that political slogans cannot substitute for legal arguments.
Imamoglu’s detention follows the annulment of his university degree, which, if upheld, could bar him from running for president in the 2028 elections. CHP leaders dismissed the legal actions as politically motivated but vowed to proceed with Sunday’s vote to nominate Imamoglu despite the charges.
The investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), which Imamoglu has led since 2019, intensified following leaked footage last year of alleged illicit cash transactions tied to CHP officials. Prosecutors claim the video is part of a larger network of vote-buying, extortion, and money laundering.
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Omer Celik urged respect for the judicial process, dismissing opposition claims that the case was orchestrated by the government. He reiterated that Turkiye remains committed to democracy and the rule of law.
Source: Daily Sabah
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
