Turkey has detained over 1,900 people, including 1,418 protesters and multiple journalists, following the jailing of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the leading opposition figure and mayor of Istanbul. The protests began on March 19, 2025, after İmamoğlu’s detention on allegations of corruption and connections to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as terrorist by Turkey.
The Turkish government has responded to the protests with force, deploying riot police, armored vehicles, and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya claimed that some protesters engaged in “provocative and violent behavior,” but opposition leaders and human rights organizations have accused the government of excessive force.
Multiple journalists have been detained, including Agence France-Presse photographer Yasin Akgül, who was later released. The Turkish Journalists’ Union reported that two more journalists, Elif Bayburt and Nisa Suda Demirel, were detained on March 28.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation, with the European Union and the United States calling for the release of İmamoğlu and an end to the violence. The Turkish government has denied allegations of politically motivated arrests and maintains that the judiciary operates independently.
Background on İmamoğlu’s Detention
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul, was detained on March 19, 2025, on allegations of corruption and connections to the PKK. İmamoğlu has denied the allegations, and his supporters claim that the charges are politically motivated.
İmamoğlu’s detention has sparked widespread outrage and protests across Turkey, with many seeing it as a move by the government to silence opposition voices. The Turkish government has denied allegations of political motivation, but the move has raised concerns about the erosion of democracy and human rights in Turkey.
International Reaction
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Turkey, with many calling for the release of İmamoğlu and an end to the violence.
– The European Union has issued a statement expressing concern over the detention of İmamoğlu and the use of force against protesters.
– The United States has called for the release of İmamoğlu and an end to the violence, stating that the detention of opposition figures and the use of force against protesters are “unacceptable”.
– Human Rights Watch has accused the Turkish government of using excessive force against protesters and called for the release of İmamoğlu and other detained opposition figures.
What’s Next?
The situation in Turkey remains tense, with protests and detentions continuing. The international community is likely to continue to pressure the Turkish government to release İmamoğlu and end the violence.
In the coming days, the Turkish government is expected to face increased pressure from the international community to address the situation. The European Union and the United States may consider imposing sanctions on Turkey if the situation does not improve.
The opposition in Turkey is likely to continue to protest and demand the release of İmamoğlu and other detained opposition figures. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear what the outcome will be.