Turkey Detains 1,900 Protesters Over Jailed Erdogan's Rival

6 days ago 7

March 27, 2025 | 09:44 pm

A person carries a Turkish flag as people take part in a protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -Turkish authorities have detained nearly 1,900 people who took part in a demonstration against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Imamoglu is the strongest rival of President Tayyip Erdogan, who leads in several opinion polls. He has been imprisoned pending trial on charges of corruption. The arrest of Imamoglu has triggered the largest anti-government protests in a decade and led to mass arrests across the country.

Quoted from Reuters, Imamoglu's arrest is seen as an attempt to eliminate Erdogan's rival. However, the government denies any influence on the judiciary. The government states that the judiciary is independent.

Speaking to international media representatives in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Ankara had asked its European partners to act rationally. He added that the accusations against Imamoglu are serious, hence his arrest.

"We don't want the arrest of any politician, but if there is evidence of a violation then it can happen," Tunc said through an interpreter.

"If we look at the gravity of the allegations, and as there is risk that evidence can be concealed, the judiciary has made a reasonable decision," he said.

The opposition party, the Republican People's Party of Turkey (CHP), has urged Turks to continue protesting. The CHP has threatened to hold demonstrations and meetings in various locations in Istanbul and elsewhere. Erdogan has dismissed the protests as a show. He has also warned of legal consequences for the protesters.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 1,879 people have been detained since the protests erupted last Wednesday, adding that the courts have imprisoned 260 people pending trial. He said that 489 people have been released and 662 others are still in the process, while 150 police officers have been injured.

Editor's Choice: Nine Turkish Journalists Detained While Covering Arrest of Erdogan's Rival

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