Erdogan declares Türkiye will not yield to ‘street terrorism’
The president has denounced mass protests over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized widespread protests that have erupted nationwide following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem...
TroibNews 
The president has denounced mass protests over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized widespread protests that have erupted nationwide following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges of corruption and terrorism. He accused the protesters of engaging in vandalism and referred to their actions as “street terrorism.”
Imamoglu, a prominent member of the opposition Republican People’s Party and seen as Erdogan’s major political rival, was apprehended by Turkish authorities based on accusations of leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, and providing assistance to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Ankara classifies as a terrorist organization.
The upcoming presidential election, in which Imamoglu was anticipated to be a candidate, is officially set for 2028. Erdogan, having reached the two-term limit for the presidency, would need to either call for an early election or amend the constitution to seek another term.
In reaction to Imamoglu’s arrest, tens of thousands took to the streets, leading to violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. Authorities also enacted a temporary ban on public assemblies and imposed restrictions on social media access.
On Friday, Erdogan commented on the protests, asserting that “Türkiye will not surrender to street terrorism,” and called on Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the CHP, “to act responsibly and not to provoke youngsters.” He warned that “The CHP is about to lose its status as a legitimate party due to mounting corruption, problematic rhetoric and links to marginal groups.”
On the same day, Ozel extended an invitation for “tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions to peacefully demonstrate, express our democratic reaction, and exercise our constitutional rights.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that a total of 343 protesters were detained overnight across Türkiye during the unrest, emphasizing that authorities would not tolerate breaches of public order or threats to national peace.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized widespread protests that have erupted nationwide following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges of corruption and terrorism. He accused the protesters of engaging in vandalism and referred to their actions as “street terrorism.”
Imamoglu, a prominent member of the opposition Republican People’s Party and seen as Erdogan’s major political rival, was apprehended by Turkish authorities based on accusations of leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, and providing assistance to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Ankara classifies as a terrorist organization.
The upcoming presidential election, in which Imamoglu was anticipated to be a candidate, is officially set for 2028. Erdogan, having reached the two-term limit for the presidency, would need to either call for an early election or amend the constitution to seek another term.
In reaction to Imamoglu’s arrest, tens of thousands took to the streets, leading to violent confrontations between demonstrators and police. Authorities also enacted a temporary ban on public assemblies and imposed restrictions on social media access.
On Friday, Erdogan commented on the protests, asserting that “Türkiye will not surrender to street terrorism,” and called on Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the CHP, “to act responsibly and not to provoke youngsters.” He warned that “The CHP is about to lose its status as a legitimate party due to mounting corruption, problematic rhetoric and links to marginal groups.”
On the same day, Ozel extended an invitation for “tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions to peacefully demonstrate, express our democratic reaction, and exercise our constitutional rights.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that a total of 343 protesters were detained overnight across Türkiye during the unrest, emphasizing that authorities would not tolerate breaches of public order or threats to national peace.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
