Erdogan Calls Turkey Protests ‘Evil’ as Unrest Escalates

Protests in Turkey have continued for a sixth consecutive night, sparked by the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s mayor and a prominent political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Imamoglu was detained last Wednesday on corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated. Erdogan, however, has denied this and accused opposition political parties of inciting “a movement of violence” aimed at disturbing the peace.

Clashes and Arrests

On Sunday night, protests intensified, with riot police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. By Monday, the demonstrations appeared calmer, with crowds chanting and waving Turkish flags. 1,133 people have been arrested since the protests began. Despite tensions, there was no repeat of the intense clashes seen earlier in the week.

Imamoglu, who was also suspended from his mayoral position, was charged with serious offenses including bribery, extortion, and illegal surveillance. His supporters, including opposition leader Özgür Özel, have characterized the charges as part of a political vendetta aimed at silencing dissent.

A Symbolic Political Moment

Despite being detained, Imamoglu was nominated by his party, Republican People’s Party (CHP), as their 2028 presidential candidate—a symbolic gesture, as he is currently the only contender. Imamoglu has become one of the most prominent figures in Turkish politics, often seen as a serious challenge to Erdogan’s two-decade rule.

His arrest has spurred large protests, the biggest since the 2013 Gezi Park protests in Istanbul. While largely peaceful, recent demonstrations have been met with force, including water cannons and pepper spray by police.

Erdogan’s Response

In his televised remarks, Erdogan labeled the protests as “evil” and accused the opposition of using them to destabilize the country. He claimed opposition leaders had made “vile and unlawful” statements during the unrest.

However, opposition figures like Özgür Özel have framed the protests as a defiance against fascism, with Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, calling his arrest a gross injustice that has mobilized public sentiment.

Erdogan’s Political Future

Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, cannot run for president in 2028 due to term limits, unless the constitution is amended. Imamoglu’s 2028 candidacy makes him one of Erdogan’s most formidable rivals. However, if convicted, Imamoglu could lose his right to run for president.

As protests continue to swell, the future of Turkey’s political landscape, as well as the fate of Imamoglu, hangs in the balance.