Protests Erupt in Istanbul Following Mayor İmamoğlu’s Detention
Last week, demonstrators assembled at Istanbul’s city hall, voicing outrage over the detention of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Azra, 26, initially hesitated to disregard the prohibition on gatherings. However, as protests escalated across university campuses and cities throughout Turkey, she felt compelled to join the movement.
“Seeing the determination in people’s eyes and the enthusiasm on their faces, I resolved to come here,” she expressed, smiling amongst tens of thousands who flouted the assembly ban, filling the streets surrounding city hall on Friday night. Despite the significant turnout, Azra, apprehensive of repercussions, declined to provide her full name. Many protesters wore masks, attempting to evade facial recognition technology and fearing potential teargas or pepper spray deployment by law enforcement. Conversely, others smiled and took selfies, celebrating as fireworks illuminated the night sky.
Mayor’s Detention Sparks Concerns Over Turkish Democracy
The apprehension of the mayor of Turkey’s largest city during a dawn raid last week marks a critical juncture in the nation’s protracted drift away from democratic norms. Opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan worry this action is intended to marginalize the primary challenger capable of defeating him in the forthcoming elections, anticipated before 2028.
Early Sunday, prosecutors requested the formal arrest and imprisonment pending trial for İmamoğlu, who was held awaiting a court decision. On Saturday, demonstrations in support of İmamoğlu erupted in Istanbul, where projectiles were hurled at police who responded with pepper spray. In Ankara, the capital, police deployed water cannon and tear gas against demonstrators.
Government Response and Public Reaction
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 323 individuals were detained following Saturday night’s protests. He previously declared, “There will be no tolerance for those who aim to disrupt social order, endanger public peace and security, and incite chaos and provocation.”
During the week, İmamoğlu and over 100 others, including municipal officials and the construction firm head, were served detention orders. They face accusations of embezzlement and corruption – charges the mayor refutes. He also denies terrorism charges related to collaboration with a left-wing political coalition before last year’s local elections, which resulted in significant losses for Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç sought to dismiss any suspicion that the charges against İmamoğlu and others from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) were politically motivated. “Attempting to link judicial investigations and cases with our president is, to put it mildly, an act of audacity and irresponsibility,” he asserted.
Protests Broaden Beyond Initial Grievances
Within days, the protests, initially sparked by İmamoğlu’s detention, transformed into a broader movement. “This is larger than İmamoğlu. It’s about the struggle for democracy, justice, and equal rights,” Azra stated as demonstrators gathered around her.
The Turkish president has long endeavored to regain control of Istanbul from the opposition. This context fueled protesters’ elation at defying the gathering ban in the city where Erdoğan commenced his political career as mayor. Diler, another protester, standing outside a metro station amidst hundreds of cheering individuals entering the street, initiating anti-government chants and banging on escalators, described the demonstrations as “a reaction to the accumulated pressure over years.”
“There are issues with the economy, education, and the healthcare system,” she added, referencing the economic crisis that has skyrocketed the cost of living. “We are discontent with this government.”
Scale of Demonstrations and Government Crackdown
Supporters of the mayor estimated that 300,000 people participated in Friday night’s Istanbul demonstration. Videos showed protesters taking to the streets and clashing with police in major cities nationwide. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported 343 individuals detained across nine cities for participating in demonstrations.
Turkish authorities intensified efforts to suppress the growing protests, including blocking traffic on two bridges leading to Istanbul city hall and securing nearby thoroughfares with riot police lines.
Erdoğan Condemns Protests, International Response Muted
Erdoğan expressed his increasing dissatisfaction with opposition calls to demonstrate, stating, “Turkey is not a nation to be governed by the streets – it will not capitulate to street terrorism.”
Despite domestic uproar over İmamoğlu’s detention, the international response remained mild. The most pronounced reaction was financial. Estimates suggest the Turkish central bank spent a record $11.5bn supporting the lira the day after İmamoğlu’s arrest as investors withdrew and the currency plummeted in value.
Reactions elsewhere were considerably less significant. A UN secretary-general spokesperson expressed hope that “normal due process rules will be followed,” while US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated Washington “will not comment on the internal decision-making processes of another country.”
US President Donald Trump and Erdoğan spoke by phone days before İmamoğlu’s arrest amid reports the Turkish leader seeks a White House meeting in the coming months.
Analysts Weigh In on Political Climate
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff described Trump and Erdoğan’s conversation as “transformational,” adding, “I think there’s a lot of good, positive news coming out of Turkey right now,” in an interview with right-wing pundit Tucker Carlson.
“The international climate emboldens Erdoğan,” stated Gönül Tol, an analyst with the Washington-based Middle East Institute.
“The US president is undermining democracy there, implying US preoccupation with domestic affairs. He seemingly disregards what foreign autocrats are doing to their populations. These factors significantly influence a global climate where autocrats feel unrestrained.”
European leaders, previously quick to criticize Erdoğan, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, have yet to voice objections to events in Turkey. This silence comes amid anticipation they may increasingly look to Ankara to provide peacekeepers in Ukraine.
“With Trump’s White House return and his shift towards Russia on Ukraine, Europeans are panicking and seeking to bolster defense,” Tol explained. “In this climate, where Europe feels compelled to defend itself against Russia independently, there’s increased discussion about engaging Erdoğan.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen became the highest-ranking official to offer criticism, stating Turkey “must protect democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials.”
Soner Cagaptay, an Erdoğan biographer and analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, suggested such statements are unlikely to prompt policy changes.
“Meaningful actions are unlikely to follow; sanctions or exclusion of Erdoğan from summits, or omitting Turkey in future planning are improbable. Concrete repercussions are unlikely due to Turkey’s positioning in this new global arena as a significant power,” he concluded.
Opposition Plans and Historical Parallels
The CHP is expected to proceed with declaring İmamoğlu its presidential candidate this weekend, following a symbolic primary vote. Those around city hall insisted the Istanbul mayor should remain the opposition’s candidate, even if campaigning from prison.
Cagaptay noted that despite the lack of international criticism, the push to invalidate İmamoğlu could rebound. Erdoğan was briefly jailed in the 1990s while Istanbul mayor, galvanizing support and driving his national political career.
“He entered jail as mayor and emerged as a national hero,” Cagaptay stated.
“Erdoğan is betting this scenario won’t repeat due to state control, institutional and media domination, and disregard for international criticism.”