A court ⁣formally arrested ‌Mayor Ekrem ⁣Imamoglu on Sunday and ordered his imprisonment pending a trial on ​corruption charges. His arrest on Wednesday triggered the​ largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey‌ in more​ than a decade, with large crowds gathering in front of the City Council for the fifth consecutive night. The situation has heightened concerns about democracy and​ the rule of law in Turkey.

The ‌Disk-Basin-iS⁢ media workers’ union stated that at least eight reporters and photojournalists were arrested in what‍ it described as an attack on press freedom and ‌the public’s right to know the ‌truth. the union demanded their immediate release.

The social media platform X reported that it had opposed multiple‌ judicial orders from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts,including those of news organizations,journalists,and political figures in Turkey.

Hundreds of Protesters Arrested

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 1,133 people ⁢have been arrested ​as the mayor’s initial detention. He added that 123 police officers were injured in the ⁣protests, and authorities seized materials such as acid, incendiary bombs, and knives.

Some​ circles have been exploiting the‍ right to meet and⁤ demonstrate, trying to disturb public‌ order, incite street disturbances, and attack our police.

Ali Yerlikaya, Interior Minister

The minister ‍stated that some of the detainees were identified as having links to groups listed as ⁤terrorist organizations, ​while others had criminal records.

Hundreds of thousands of‍ people have participated in mostly peaceful protests throughout Turkey in support of the mayor. However, ‌some violence ⁤has occurred, with police ⁤deploying ⁣water cannons, tear ​gas, pepper spray,⁢ and plastic bullets against protesters in Istanbul, Ankara, and⁤ Izmir. Some protesters have thrown stones, Molotov cocktails, and other projectiles at riot police.

Mayor Urges Continued ​Demonstrations

In a message posted on social media,Imamoglu ⁤encouraged people⁤ to gather in ⁣front of the City Council and ⁤other⁣ locations for​ a sixth night on Monday. ⁣He also urged ⁤young people to avoid clashes and asked the police to treat protesters with respect.

I ‍am working hard, I will work even more. Where ⁢I am doesn’t matter, he ​said.

The ⁣mayor’s imprisonment is widely viewed as a political maneuver to sideline a⁢ significant opponent of Erdogan in‌ the next presidential contest, ​scheduled ⁤for 2028.Government officials deny these accusations and maintain that the Turkish courts operate independently.

Imamoglu was imprisoned on suspicion of directing ⁤a⁢ criminal association, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally ⁣registering personal data, and rigging tenders –⁢ accusations ⁣he denies. A petition to imprison him on terrorism-related charges was rejected, although he still faces prosecution.

The Ministry of Interior later announced Imamoglu’s ‍suspension from his​ mayoral duties as a temporary measure. The City Council has⁤ appointed an interim mayor from its Governing Council.

Erdogan Addresses ⁢Protests

In a televised speech following a cabinet meeting, Erdogan accused the leader of the opposition party, Ozgur Ozel,⁤ of inciting public disorder instead of addressing the alleged corruption.‌ He stated that Ozel would be held accountable for​ the protests.

I have made this call ​several times before, and today I repeat it: they must ‍stop disturbing the peace of our ⁤citizens with provocations. If they​ have the courage, they should address ⁣the corruption, theft, bribes received, and ​irregularities​ committed.

recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey

Of course, ‍there will be ‌political responsibility‌ for these actions in Parliament⁤ and‌ legal responsibility in court, Erdogan added.

Addressing protesters in front of the City Council for the sixth consecutive ‌night, Ozel urged supporters to boycott several ⁣pro-government television networks and stations. He ⁣challenged Erdogan and the chief prosecutor of Istanbul to broadcast Imamoglu’s trial on state television, ‍allowing the jailed mayor to respond to the accusations and expose their⁣ lies.

Approximately ‌15‌ minutes after Ozel addressed the crowd, police‍ intervened with tear gas⁣ and plastic bullets to disperse the protesters.

Along with⁢ Imamoglu, 47 other individuals‌ were also imprisoned pending trial, including a key⁣ assistant and two district mayors of Istanbul, one of whom‍ was replaced by a government appointee. An additional 44 suspects were released under judicial ‌supervision.

Ankara City Council under Scrutiny

Meanwhile, authorities are⁤ investigating the office of the mayor of Ankara, another prominent opposition ⁢figure, for the alleged improper ‍use ‌of public funds related to the organization of 33 concerts, the municipality announced ‌Monday.

Imamoglu was‍ elected mayor of Istanbul in March 2019, dealing a significant blow to Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a ⁣quarter ​of a century.Erdogan’s party pressed for the annulment of the ​municipal ‍election results, alleging irregularities.

The challenge led to⁣ a repeat election a few months later,which Imamoglu ‍also won. ⁢The mayor retained his position ‌after local elections ‌last year,⁣ in which the CHP (Republican People’s ⁤Party) made significant gains⁣ against Erdogan’s ruling party.