**The opposition party insists that rallies will continue until either early elections are initiated or Ekrem Imamoglu is freed, with further protests planned nationwide.**
**Turkey's Opposition Vows Protests Will Persist Until Jailed Mayor's Release**
**Turkey's Opposition Vows Protests Will Persist Until Jailed Mayor's Release**
**Demonstrations are set to escalate in response to the imprisonment of Istanbul's mayor amid claims of political repression.**
Turkey’s political landscape continues to intensify as the opposition declares a series of ongoing protests following the imprisonment of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has made it clear that these demonstrations will persist "in every city" until either early presidential elections are announced or Imamoglu is released from custody.
The protests, which have seen significant mobilization, reached their peak since Imamoglu's arrest a week ago, stirring the largest crowds in a decade. Ozel pledged that a significant demonstration in Istanbul this Saturday would kick off their campaign to promote Imamoglu as a potential presidential candidate for the 2028 elections. He expressed confidence, stating, "In every city we go to, we will have the biggest rallies in their history," reinforcing the public's belief in democracy and their support for Imamoglu.
While the demonstrations have remained mostly peaceful, tensions escalated on Sunday when protesters faced tear gas and rubber bullets from police. The opposition's call to action has resulted in over 1,400 arrests, including several journalists covering the protests. Ozel, who recently visited Imamoglu in Silivri Prison, reported that the mayor is currently in solitary confinement but is in good health.
The CHP has challenged the legitimacy of the charges against Imamoglu, labeling them as false allegations aimed at undermining him politically. Imamoglu, who faces accusations of bribery and corruption, asserts that his arrest is an attempt to thwart his potential candidacy in upcoming elections. Ozel emphasized that this act of jailing a political rival indicates desperation by the current regime, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has denounced the protests as "street terrorism."
Despite receiving significant domestic support, Ozel voiced discontent with the muted response from international figures, notably UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, stating that their silence amid the political crisis in Turkey is disappointing. He called for greater international attention and support for their cause, underscoring the importance of public and political engagement regarding Imamoglu’s situation.
As the CHP prepares to escalate their campaign for democratic processes and more significant political engagement, they maintain that the push for Imamoglu's release and the presidency will be relentless. Ozel concluded that if the current regime continues to suppress Imamoglu's political ambitions, the CHP has other capable candidates ready to step forward in solidarity.
The protests, which have seen significant mobilization, reached their peak since Imamoglu's arrest a week ago, stirring the largest crowds in a decade. Ozel pledged that a significant demonstration in Istanbul this Saturday would kick off their campaign to promote Imamoglu as a potential presidential candidate for the 2028 elections. He expressed confidence, stating, "In every city we go to, we will have the biggest rallies in their history," reinforcing the public's belief in democracy and their support for Imamoglu.
While the demonstrations have remained mostly peaceful, tensions escalated on Sunday when protesters faced tear gas and rubber bullets from police. The opposition's call to action has resulted in over 1,400 arrests, including several journalists covering the protests. Ozel, who recently visited Imamoglu in Silivri Prison, reported that the mayor is currently in solitary confinement but is in good health.
The CHP has challenged the legitimacy of the charges against Imamoglu, labeling them as false allegations aimed at undermining him politically. Imamoglu, who faces accusations of bribery and corruption, asserts that his arrest is an attempt to thwart his potential candidacy in upcoming elections. Ozel emphasized that this act of jailing a political rival indicates desperation by the current regime, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has denounced the protests as "street terrorism."
Despite receiving significant domestic support, Ozel voiced discontent with the muted response from international figures, notably UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, stating that their silence amid the political crisis in Turkey is disappointing. He called for greater international attention and support for their cause, underscoring the importance of public and political engagement regarding Imamoglu’s situation.
As the CHP prepares to escalate their campaign for democratic processes and more significant political engagement, they maintain that the push for Imamoglu's release and the presidency will be relentless. Ozel concluded that if the current regime continues to suppress Imamoglu's political ambitions, the CHP has other capable candidates ready to step forward in solidarity.
