Turkey: anti -government demonstration in Istanbul for the liberation of Imoglou

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Constantinople on Saturday to protest the mayor’s imprisonment ImamoglouMr. Tayyip Erdogan’s main opponent, continuing the wave of the biggest demonstrations that Turkey has seen for over ten years.

Hundreds of thousands of people followed the opposition calls and took to the streets all over the country since Imamoglu was arrested last week and then imprisoned pending his trial on charges of bribery. The protests were mostly peaceful, but almost 2,000 people have been arrested.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), other opposition parties, rights groups, student organizations accuse Erdogan of trying to silence the opposition by imprisoning his number one political opponent, Ekrem Imoglou.

The government denies any influence on justice and says that the courts are independent.

Tens of thousands of people who were waving Turkish flags and banners poured into the coastal gathering area in Maltepe, on the Asian side of Constantinople, for the Saturday gathering « Freedom for Imamoglou », organized by the CHP, according to Reuters.

– Hundreds of Thousands of People in Istanbul Are Currently Protesting in Support of the Arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. pic.twitter.com/nas0chnjdw

– فيصل ابراهيم الشمري (@MR_ALSHAMMERI) March 29, 2025

Thousands in Saturday’s gathering

« If justice are silent, the people will speak, » said one of the banners of the demonstration.

« The economy, justice, the law – all get worse. That is why we are here. We say « rights, law and justice » and ask for our rights, « a CHP supporter who refused to give his name told Reuters.

The gathering was spoken by his wife, Ekrem Imamoglu, Dilek, who, among other things, said « they are punished because they feel helpless in the face of the people’s love for his face. They know that they will never win the heart of the nation as Arem did, so they punish him. Let them do whatever they want, Ekrem will not be bent. Which wall can rise and prevent love? Which rails can hide the truth? « 

See live shots from concentration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFR4WPTFHCQ

Wave of demonstrations in Turkey

Last Sunday, the CHP held a qualifying election to support Imamoglou as a candidate for the next presidential election. These are scheduled to take place in 2028, but the CHP calls for early elections, arguing that the government has lost its legalization.

15 million people participated in them, while the CHP has 1.6 million members, stressing the fact that the prosecution of Imamoglou has caused anger in much of a society that is not necessarily involved with his party.

Imoglou’s arrest on March 19 sparked an unprecedented wave of demonstrations throughout Turkey, with tens of thousands of protesters going down the streets every night, until Monday night.

Since then the party has stopped inviting people to concentrate in front of the town hall. However, in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, which has a date, Chp President Ozel Ozel announces regular rallies « every Saturday in a Turkish city » and every Wednesday night in Istanbul.

« We believe that the arrests will be reduced from now on, » he assured.

« The only free thing in this country is inflation, » says the young demonstrator’s placard in one of the gatherings

Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for over two decades, rejected nationwide demonstrations as a « show », warned of legal consequences and called on the CHP to stop « causing » the Turks.

Following the detention of Imamoglou, the Turkish Stock Exchange fell, which prompted the central bank to use its reserves to support the pound. The turmoil has caused shock to the private sector.

The government said the impact would be limited and temporary. The bank said the basic dynamics of the economy has not been affected, but would take further measures if needed.