Turkey Erupts in Protest: Clashes Erupt After Arrest of Erdogan's Rival Mayor

 Istanbul, Turkey – Turkish riot police clashed with demonstrators on Friday as thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Imamoglu, widely seen as a potential presidential challenger, was detained in an early morning raid on his home Wednesday over allegations of corruption and terror links—charges his supporters claim are politically motivated. His arrest comes just days before he was expected to be formally nominated as the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for Turkey’s next presidential election.

Protests Turn Violent as Police Crack Down

In Istanbul, riot police fired rubber bullets and pepper spray at crowds, while protesters hurled flares and chanted slogans against Erdogan’s government. Similar scenes unfolded in Izmir and Ankara, where authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators.

In response to the escalating unrest, Turkish officials imposed a five-day ban on public demonstrations.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called for nationwide peaceful protests, declaring, “We are not the ones filling these streets—it is your lawlessness and injustices that have brought people out.”

A Broader Crackdown on Opposition?

Imamoglu’s arrest is the latest in a series of legal actions against Erdogan’s critics. Prosecutors accuse him of financial misconduct and allegedly aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a banned militant group, by forming alliances with Kurdish political factions during local elections.

Two Istanbul district mayors were also detained in the sweep, fueling accusations that Erdogan is using the judiciary to sideline opponents before the 2028 elections—or possibly earlier if he seeks re-election.

Erdogan’s Defiant Response

The Turkish president dismissed the protests, vowing not to “give in to vandalism or street terrorism.” In a televised address, he warned that authorities “would not allow public order to be damaged.”

Meanwhile, Turkish media reported that Imamoglu was being interrogated and could be held for up to four days without formal charges.

A Nation Divided

The arrest has deepened political divisions in Turkey, with critics accusing Erdogan of authoritarian overreach. As protests rage on, the coming days could prove pivotal in determining whether Imamoglu’s detention galvanizes the opposition—or strengthens Erdogan’s grip on power.