In 42 arrests the police proceeded to Turkeyduring the great demonstration held on Tuesday night (2.7.25) in Istanbul for the 100 days of the arrest of the city’s mayor Imamoglou and his depreciation from his office.
The arrested, which participated in the demonstration in favor of Imamoglouthey are accused of defamation by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and resistance to security forces, as Turkish Interior Minister Ali Germany wrote on X this morning.
Thousands of people demonstrated in front of the City Hall of Constantinople, shouting slogans such as “united against fascism” and “president Imamoglou”.
As shown in the videos that tour the internet, police used tear gas against the protesters.
Turkish riot police pushed back the protesters and used pepper spray, as demonstrators clashed with the police at a rally marking the 100th day since the detention of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu pic.twitter.com/mdjgYNxyNR
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 2, 2025
Imamoglu, who comes from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is considered Erdogan’s most likely opponent in future elections.
He was arrested and dismissed by his post on March 23. Many of his environment and party were also detained in successive waves of arrest.
Yesterday’s protest coincided with another major blow to the CHP: yesterday morning, more than 100 people were arrested in Smyrna as part of corruption investigations.
The CHP considers to be a victim of a judiciary manipulated by the government. Erdogan, however, has repeatedly claimed that justice is independent.
CHP was recorded as the strongest force in the latest local elections.
Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), for the first time in his history, came second in national elections.
Imamoglou’s party has been a presidential candidate. The next scheduled elections will take place in 2028.