In Turkey, the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has ignited widespread protests and led to the detention of over 1,100 individuals, including at least ten journalists. These demonstrations, which began on March 19, have been met with a significant crackdown by Turkish authorities.Wikipedia+3The Guardian+3The Guardian+3Wikipedia+1The Guardian+1
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that among the detained protesters, some have been accused of having ties to terrorist organizations, and 123 police officers have been injured during the unrest. The government’s response has included the use of tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. El País+2Latest news & breaking headlines+2Wikipedia+2AP News
The detention of journalists covering these events has raised serious concerns about press freedom in Turkey. A media union described the arrests as an “attack on press freedoms,” highlighting the challenges faced by journalists operating in the country. AP News+3NUJ+3P.A. Turkey+3AP News
International reactions have been swift, with Germany and Greece expressing concern over İmamoğlu’s arrest. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled the jailing as “totally unacceptable.” Critics argue that these actions represent a politically motivated effort to sideline President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main opposition ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. Financial Times+3The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3AP News+1Latest news & breaking headlines+1
Despite a ban on street gatherings, protests have continued across major cities, including Istanbul, İzmir, and Ankara. Demonstrators are advocating for democratic rights and expressing dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the government’s authoritarian drift.
