Egypt Daily News – Tens of thousands protested in Istanbul on Wednesday night, demanding the resignation of Erdoğan’s government over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. In an attempt to prevent the protests, many roads were closed, restrictions were imposed on some social media platforms, and a four-day protest ban was enforced.
However, despite the ban, large crowds gathered outside the Istanbul Police Headquarters, the city’s municipal council, and the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), to which İmamoğlu belongs. Turkish authorities had arrested 100 people, including the mayor of Istanbul and several other prominent figures.
İmamoğlu is considered the most popular opposition leader and Erdoğan’s main rival. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday that authorities had arrested 37 suspects for allegedly posting “provocative messages inciting crime and hatred” regarding İmamoğlu’s arrest.
Turkey arrested İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s most significant political rival, on Wednesday on charges including corruption and aiding a terrorist organization—a move criticized by the main opposition party as a “coup attempt against the next president.”
