Turkish streets in chaos as mass protests erupt in Istanbul after arrest of mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Streets in Istanbul were flooded on Thursday after the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested. Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and a major rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was taken into custody, France 24 reported.
Authorities tried to curb the unrest by closing roads, restricting access to social media platforms, and imposing a four-day ban on demonstrations. Despite these measures, large crowds gathered outside Istanbul’s police headquarters, City Hall, and the headquarters of Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP), denouncing the arrest as politically motivated.
A total of 100 people, including the mayor and several other prominent figures, were arrested.
Protesters slammed the charges against Imamoglu, which include corruption, fraud, extortion, and alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as baseless and an attack on democracy.
"This is not democracy. It’s a sham of democracy. The people do not deserve this. We are upset of course. As humans, we are upset," one demonstrator told France 24.
Riot police blocked off roads leading to the Vatan Security Department, where the mayor was taken following his arrest. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition figures, which critics say is aimed at silencing dissent ahead of Turkey’s next elections.
A day before his arrest, Istanbul University revoked Imamoglu's bachelor’s degree, a qualification required to run for office under Turkish law.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel accused president Erdogan of planning the arrest out of fear, citing significant losses suffered by the ruling party in last year’s local elections.
"They can do any evil. We are ready for any evil they can do. Because it is clear that the issue is not a political struggle, but a matter of existence or non-existence for the country," he said.
Turkey’s justice minister, Yilmaz Tunc, rejected claims of political interference, insisting that the judiciary acts independently.
"Characterizing investigations carried out by an impartial and independent judiciary as something like a coup, or using similar terms is extremely dangerous and incorrect," adding that the judiciary "does not take instructions from anyone."
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voiced her concern over Imamoglu’s detention, urging Turkey to uphold democratic values.
"Turkey is an EU candidate country. Turkey must uphold democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials," she said in Brussels. "We want Turkey to remain anchored to Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic norms and practices."