Sat Mar 22 22:56:51 UTC 2025: ## Turkey’s Biggest Protests in a Decade Erupt After Opposition Mayor’s Arrest
**Istanbul, Turkey –** Massive protests have swept across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir on Friday, resulting in clashes with riot police. Over 340 people were arrested, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Imamoglu’s arrest on Wednesday sparked immediate outrage. He faces charges of “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization” (the PKK) and various corruption offenses. While he denies all allegations, his detention, just days before he was to be named the CHP’s presidential candidate for 2028, is widely seen as a politically motivated move.
The protests, described as the largest in over a decade, continued into a third night, with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds. Imamoglu, after spending three nights in custody, began questioning on Saturday morning.
The opposition CHP party, led by Ozgur Ozel, has condemned the arrest, with Ozel himself facing potential legal action for his involvement in the protests. President Erdogan warned against further unrest, characterizing the demonstrations as “street terror.”
The situation has significantly impacted Turkey’s economy, with the stock market experiencing a near eight percent drop on Friday. Imamoglu, in a message relayed through his lawyers, expressed pride in the protesters, describing them as defenders of Turkey’s democracy and future. The protests are expected to continue.
First Piper 