Istanbul Erupts in Protests After Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s Arrest: Police Use Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets

Istanbul, March 21, 2025 — Protests rocked Istanbul for a second night running after the dramatic arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, one of Turkey’s leading opposition figures and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s key political rival. Ignoring a four-day ban on protests, demonstrators took to the streets, confronting police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Imamoglu, an opposition CHP politician, was taken into custody Wednesday along with 105 other people on the allegations of corruption and supporting terrorist organizations. Imamoglu’s arrest follows closely on the heels of his prospective appointment as the CHP’s presidential candidate for Turkey’s upcoming 2028 elections.

Crackdown on Protesters and Social Media

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that authorities have also opened a digital crackdown, targeting 261 social media accounts that were accused of fomenting unrest. Up to Thursday morning, 37 suspects had been arrested for posting what officials called “provocative” messages. More than 18.6 million posts concerning Imamoglu’s arrest materialized within 24 hours.

In turn, President Erdogan downplayed the protests, blaming opposition politicians for staging “theatrics” and causing violence. “They have lost their balance so much that they are attacking our police, intimidating judges,” Erdogan alleged.

CHP Leaders Demonstrate Solidarity and Accuse the Government of “Coup”

Contrarily, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel addressed thousands of individuals outside Istanbul city hall, declaring the arrests a “coup” attempt and upholding the right of citizens to protest. “This touches every household in Turkey; it is beyond political parties,” Ozel said.

By his X (Twitter) handle, arrested Mayor Imamoglu issued a defiant tweet summoning Turkey to unite:

“We must voice our opinions now. These events have crossed political lines.

Imamoglu’s speeches were recorded and echoed through Istanbul’s metro stations, including his bold promise:

“I vow to you with honor that I will win this fight.”

University Students, Public Join Expanding Protests

University students and other supporters also joined the movement, taking to the streets in a chant of, “We are not afraid, we won’t be silenced, we will not comply,” a slogan used during earlier opposition protests.

Though the demonstrators are still relatively small in number in a city of more than 16 million, fears are growing about additional arrests in an ongoing countrywide crackdown on opposition politicians, reporters, and public figures.

CHP Plans Symbolic Nationwide Vote

Undeterred by the arrest of their candidate, the CHP will go ahead and hold their internal presidential candidate selection vote this Sunday, with Imamoglu remaining the only nomination. The party also announced an intention to conduct a symbolic public vote, putting ballot boxes around Turkey to garner support and protest Imamoglu’s arrest.

Imamoglu’s latest electoral victory, particularly his crushing win in Istanbul and Ankara a year ago, was one of the most notable defeats of Erdogan’s governing party in more than two decades. His arrest is seen by analysts as a turning point in Turkey’s growingly charged political atmosphere.

More updates on the events in Istanbul and Turkey’s ongoing political affairs will be coming.