Thousands protested across Istanbul’s City Hall on Thursday, defying a government ban on public gatherings, to demonstrate against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition claims that Imamoglu’s arrest is politically motivated, aimed at removing him as a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Despite the ban, which is set to last until Sunday, protesters gathered in several cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, to express their discontent and demand justice, as per reports. As seen in the visuals on the internet, massive clashes took place between police and protesters in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, with some seen using tear gas and water cannons.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel has accused Erdogan of attempting to eliminate Imamoglu as a political rival. In a defiant move, Ozel announced that the CHP would proceed with nominating Imamoglu as their presidential candidate despite his detention.
From within the police station, Imamoglu made a plea for unity, calling on the judiciary and members of Erdogan’s party to stand against the injustice of his arrest, emphasizing the need for solidarity across party lines.
The political turmoil has had significant repercussions on Turkey’s financial markets. Initially, the arrest triggered a sharp decline in the value of the lira and caused bank stocks to plummet. However, recent reports suggest that the lira is beginning to stabilize, indicating a potential recovery in the financial sector.
