Turkey has detained over 1,100 people—including 10 journalists—since mass protests erupted on March 19 following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Monday that 1,133 people had been detained for “illegal activities” amid the demonstrations, which authorities banned last week.
Despite the ban on public protests in several cities, anti-government rallies continued for a sixth consecutive night on Monday. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, as Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel renewed his call for continued protests.
BREAKING: People are allegedly being suspended on X in Turkey for posting videos of these protests against Erdoğan’s corrupt and repressive regime.
Keep sharing everywhere. pic.twitter.com/3bm3XGNn35
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) March 24, 2025
In response, police have deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Istanbul, Ankara, and other major cities.
A demonstrator wearing a gas mask dances through a haze of tear gas as protests continue across Turkey against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in Istanbul, Turkey. #GettyNewsVideo #TurkeyProtests 🎥 Olmo Blanco 👉 https://t.co/ksSZ7PAPdu pic.twitter.com/eBmtRk5H4Q
— Getty Images News (@GettyImagesNews) March 24, 2025
Turkish police using teargas on pro-CHP/opposition protestors in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/85czzmVzCn
— Wladimir van Wilgenburg (@vvanwilgenburg) March 24, 2025
Turkish police fired tear gas on a protester wearing a whirling dervish costume and a gas mask, while he was spinning in front of a police barricade at the Imamoglu gathering in Sarachane, Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/IBBdX1AASC
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) March 24, 2025
President Erdogan blamed the CHP for the unrest, calling it a “movement of violence.” He warned that the group would be held accountable for injured police and property damage. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 123 officers had been hurt, and that authorities would not allow the protests to continue.
Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and alleged ties to the terrorist group Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—a move the opposition claims to be politically motivated. He is currently detained in Silivri Prison, pending trial, and has been removed from his position as mayor.
Despite his arrest, Imamoglu was reaffirmed as the CHP’s presidential candidate for the 2028 election. Over the weekend, supporters nationwide rallied in his favor, casting a staggering 13 million symbolic votes in mock ballot boxes to show their unwavering support for the embattled opposition leader.
.@herkesicinCHP`s Ozgur Ozel just announced that 13 million 211 thousand people voted at solidarity ballot boxes launched today across 81 cities in Turkey choosing Istanbul`s imprisoned Mayor Imamoglu as their next Presidential candidate.A historic turnout in such short notice. https://t.co/R6thxyt59v
— Cemre Ulker (@UlkerCemre) March 23, 2025
