Istanbul Mayor testifies in court amid nationwide protests

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu testified in court on Saturday after being questioned by prosecutors over allegations of corruption and terrorism ties. His detention earlier in the week sparked nationwide protests.

Prosecutors requested that Imamoglu, a key political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and four of his aides be jailed pending trial, according to his office. A court ruling on his detention is expected early Sunday.

Since Thursday, tens of thousands of people have protested in over a dozen cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, condemning Imamoglu’s detention as politically motivated. Critics say the move is part of a broader crackdown on the opposition following the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) defeat in last year’s local elections.

On Saturday, thousands of supporters gathered outside the Istanbul municipal building and Caglayan courthouse, waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans. Protesters defied a ban on street gatherings, which was extended until March 26. Riot police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds, while demonstrators threw firecrackers and other objects. Clashes also occurred in Izmir and Ankara, where police fired water cannons at protesters.

Turkish authorities have detained 323 people during the protests, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. Imamoglu, who was elected mayor in 2019 and re-elected in 2024, was detained Wednesday as part of corruption and terrorism investigations. About 100 others, including his press adviser Murat Ongun, also face detention orders.

The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has called the charges politically motivated, describing them as “a coup attempt.” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel urged protesters to stand united for Imamoglu and other detainees, stating, “There are millions of people who are not afraid of him,” referring to Erdogan.

Erdogan dismissed the opposition’s outrage as “theatrics” and warned against linking his administration to Imamoglu’s arrest. “No one in Turkey is outside the scope of the law,” he wrote on X, warning the CHP against “provocations.” Interior Minister Yerlikaya also stated that authorities would not tolerate any attempts to disrupt public order.

At least 16 police officers have been injured in clashes with protesters, the interior ministry reported.

Source: CNN