Taking Out the Competition: Mass Protests in Turkey Over Rival’s Arrest

Turkey has arrested more than 1,100 people for participating in anti-government demonstrations, which broke out after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, France24 reported Monday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said Monday that protests over the jailing of İmamoğlu had become a “movement of violence” and were illegal. He added that the main opposition party would be held accountable for injured police officers and damage to property.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of people participated in the fifth consecutive day of demonstrations, the biggest street protests in Turkey in more than a decade.

Also on Sunday, a court jailed İmamoğlu pending trial, even as he won a primary vote that same day to become the opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) nominee for the 2028 presidential elections, the BBC wrote. If convicted, he would not be able to legally run in the elections.

That’s what Erdoğan wants, said Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the CHP, adding that Erdoğan feared facing the mayor in a vote and wanted to “take him out of the game.”

İmamoğlu has been charged with “establishing and managing a criminal organization, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging a tender.” He denies the charges.

Dozens of other people including politicians, journalists, and entrepreneurs were also detained by police, according to Radio Free Europe.

These arrests have heightened political tensions, with protesters gathering near Istanbul’s city hall and in at least 55 provinces to support the popular mayor. The demonstrators have been met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.

Analysts say that while Turkey’s government insists the courts are independent entities, many believe İmamoğlu’s detention is politically motivated. Erdoğan has made no secret of wanting to remain in power. However, opinion polls show İmamoğlu’s approval ratings are often higher than Erdoğan’s and he is often cited as the only candidate that could beat the incumbent.

Erdoğan has served two terms as president, the most he is allowed under the constitution. To stay in office, he will have to amend the constitution or call early elections.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media that there would be no tolerance for those who attempt to disrupt societal order, threaten public peace and security, or incite chaos and provocation. He said some of the protesters belonged to “terrorist organizations.”

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas – a member of the CHP – said İmamoğlu’s arrest was a disgrace to the judicial system while the chairman of the party said it is an “attempted coup against our next president.”

Meanwhile, Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu’s degree over alleged irregularities, potentially jeopardizing his presidential eligibility. His lawyers plan to appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.