Anti-Erdoğan Movement Gains Momentum in Turkey, Over 1,400 Arrested in 8 Days
Istanbul, Turkey: Protests have erupted across Istanbul following the arrest of popular Turkish politician and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19. Thousands of people have joined these anti-government demonstrations, demanding the resignation of the government.
İmamoğlu, whom Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has chosen as its next presidential candidate, is widely seen as a strong rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. His arrest is being interpreted as part of Erdoğan’s efforts to consolidate power.
While the government has justified the arrest as a legal measure, opposition groups believe it to be politically motivated. Many critics accuse the government of suppressing opposition figures and manipulating the political landscape.
Ali, a university student participating in the protests daily, stated, “We are not just protesting for a name; we are fighting for our future and our freedom against the government’s unlawful decisions.” He added, “Protesting means standing up for our rights.”
Meanwhile, government supporters have defended the arrest, alleging that İmamoğlu was involved in corruption and that the move was not politically driven but legally justified. The authorities have also warned of stricter actions against opposition groups.
Since the protests are occurring during Ramadan, many demonstrations are taking place in different areas after night prayers. However, protests are less frequent in certain parts of Istanbul, particularly in Muslim-majority and pro-government neighborhoods.
So far, Turkish police have arrested over 1,400 people and have requested social media platforms to block certain accounts. While some platforms have resisted, several opposition-linked accounts have already been suspended.
The outcome of these protests remains uncertain, but they have emerged as a significant movement in Turkey’s political landscape.
