İmamoğlu jailed pending trial, protests erupt across Turkey

A Turkish court has jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu pending trial on March 23rd over allegations of corruption and aiding terrorist organisations, according to The National.

Over 300 people were arrested during protests in response to his arrest.

Turkish prosecutors had requested his formal arrest earlier in the day.

İmamoğlu, a popular figure, was detained on March 19th over allegations of corruption and aiding terrorist organisations.

Several other prominent figures, including two district mayors, have also been taken into custody.

On March 23rd, İmamoğlu was questioned for nearly five hours as part of an investigation into allegations of supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the Cumhuriyet newspaper reported, as reported through The National.

The day before, March 22nd, the Istanbul mayor had been questioned for four hours regarding the corruption charges.

He denied all allegations during both interrogations.

Jailed and pending trial, İmamoğlu‘s arrest has sparked debate about whether it is politically motivated, aimed at removing him from the 2028 presidential race.

Government officials, however, have denied these claims, insisting that Turkey’s courts are independent.

The arrest has led to widespread protests across Turkey, with demonstrators gathering in several cities to express their opposition.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 323 people were detained during protests on the night of March 22nd, following İmamoğlu’s arrest, as reported by The National.

“There will be no tolerance for those who attempt to disrupt public order, threaten peace and security, or create chaos and provocation,” he said.

Protests have intensified since March 19th, with the leader of the CHP (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi), the Republican People’s party, urging supporters to take to the streets for peaceful demonstrations.

Turkish authorities have imposed a five-day ban on protests in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir.

While most protests have remained peaceful, some demonstrators attempted to break through barricades to reach Istanbul’s main square, throwing flares, stones, and other objects at the police, who responded with pepper spray.

Some reports suggest rubber bullets were also fired, and police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Ankara.

The National.