On Saturday, tens of thousands of people gathered in Istanbul to protest the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
The mass protest was organised by his party, the CHP, Turkey’s largest opposition party. Demonstrators carried banners and waved Turkish flags, demanding Imamoglu’s release. The crowd planned to gather at noon “to continue the march to power,” said CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
Last week, the popular opposition politician was imprisoned following allegations of corruption. The investigation against him is ongoing. Imamoglu and his centre-left secular party, CHP, describe the probe as politically motivated.
Since his arrest, thousands have taken to the streets daily, much to the displeasure of Turkish authorities. According to the Turkish Ministry of Interior, around 1,900 people have been detained since the protests began, including numerous journalists.
