Istanbul, Turkey – March 30, 2025
Hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Istanbul on Saturday in a historic rally organized by Turkey’s main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), demanding the release of Ekrem Imamoglu, the city’s popular mayor and a leading political figure. Imamoglu’s arrest on March 19, on charges of corruption and terrorism widely seen as politically motivated, has ignited one of the largest demonstrations against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government in recent years.
The “Freedom for Imamoglu” rally, held in the Maltepe district on Istanbul’s Asian side, saw an estimated 2.2 million people waving Turkish flags and CHP banners, according to party leader Ozgur Ozel—though independent verification of the figure remains unavailable. The protest marked a significant escalation in the public backlash that began shortly after Imamoglu’s detention and has since spread nationwide, with supporters vowing to continue their marches until the mayor is freed.
Imamoglu, a charismatic opposition leader who secured a resounding re-election as Istanbul’s mayor in 2024, is viewed by many as the only politician capable of challenging Erdogan in a presidential race. Despite his current imprisonment in a high-security cell at Marmara prison, the CHP has named him its candidate for the next election, a move that underscores the stakes of his arrest. In a letter read to the crowd, Imamoglu decried his detention as “unlawful” and called for unity against what he described as Erdogan’s “tyranny.” “I am not afraid at all. Because our dear nation is united,” he wrote. “With every move he makes against me, Erdogan shows that he is someone who runs away from elections and is afraid of his opponent.”
A Nation Divided
The protests, which have drawn comparisons to the 2013 Taksim Square demonstrations, reflect growing frustration with Erdogan’s two-decade rule amid a worsening economy, perceived erosion of judicial independence, and crackdowns on dissent. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Everywhere is Taksim, resistance is everywhere” as ferries carried supporters across the Bosphorus, amplifying the movement’s reach. One CHP supporter told Reuters, “The trend of the economy, of justice, law—everything is getting worse. That is why we are here.”
The CHP, along with human rights groups and Western governments, has condemned Imamoglu’s arrest as a blatant attempt to silence a formidable political rival. Ozel, who spearheaded Saturday’s rally, called the charges “baseless” and urged a boycott of pro-Erdogan media outlets, brands, and businesses. Placards at the protest bore messages like “There is law, but the user manual is in the palace,” a pointed jab at Erdogan’s centralized control.
Erdogan, however, has dismissed the protests as a “show” and accused the CHP of “provoking” the public. The government’s response has been swift and severe: nearly 2,000 people have been detained since the demonstrations began earlier this month, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirming that 260 remain jailed pending trial as of Thursday.
Media Crackdown Intensifies
As the protests gain momentum, Turkish authorities have escalated their suppression of journalists covering the unrest. On Friday, Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was jailed after arriving in Istanbul to report on the demonstrations. His employer, Dagens ETC, said the charges against him were unclear, though state-run Anadolu Agency cited “insulting the president” and alleged ties to a “terrorist organization.” Editor-in-Chief Andreas Gustavsson called the accusations “100% false,” while Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard vowed to address the case “seriously.”
Medin’s arrest follows the detention of 13 Turkish journalists in the past five days, 11 of whom were released on Thursday, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul. The BBC’s Mark Lowen was also deported after a 17-hour detention, with authorities labeling him a “threat to public order.” The crackdown has drawn international condemnation, further spotlighting Turkey’s strained record on press freedom.
A Turning Point?
Political analysts have noted the unprecedented level of support for this wave of protests, distinguishing it from previous demonstrations that lacked such widespread backing. The CHP has pledged to sustain pressure on the government, demanding Imamoglu’s release and pushing for early elections to capitalize on the public’s anger. Experts suggest that the mayor’s detention could galvanize the opposition in ways not seen during Erdogan’s long tenure.
For now, the streets of Istanbul and beyond remain a battleground of wills—between a government determined to hold power and a movement emboldened by its imprisoned leader’s defiance. As Imamoglu wrote from his cell, “The nation is great.” Whether that greatness will translate into political change remains an open question as hullabaloo awaits.
