Riot Officers Break Up Protest in Istanbul
Officers engaged in confrontations with supporters of opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu during extensive rallies in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city. On Sunday evening, police used force to disperse demonstrators advocating for Imamoglu,...
TroibNews 
Officers engaged in confrontations with supporters of opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu during extensive rallies in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city.
On Sunday evening, police used force to disperse demonstrators advocating for Imamoglu, who has been arrested. Footage showed officers kicking and striking protesters as they attempted to break up the gathering.
The demonstrations have persisted for five days, despite a ban on rallies in the city. While some protests remained peaceful, others resulted in violent confrontations with law enforcement.
Riot-equipped officers physically subdued individuals outside city hall, with some seen kicking protesters and assaulting them with batons.
Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday, facing allegations of corruption and connections to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group designated as a terrorist organization in Türkiye. An Istanbul court upheld his arrest on Sunday, leading to his suspension from office. He has denied the allegations, asserting that the prosecution is politically motivated.
In a post on X, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that some police officers experienced violence on the streets. He emphasized, “We will never allow vandalism or threats to the peace and security of our nation.”
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), refuted claims that the party instigated violence. He responded to Yerlikaya, stating, “You will respect the democratic reaction that is the constitutional right of the nation. Any order given against it will be unlawful.”
Imamoglu, who ran for vice president in the 2023 presidential election, is viewed as the leading candidate for the CHP in the upcoming 2028 presidential race.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
On Sunday evening, police used force to disperse demonstrators advocating for Imamoglu, who has been arrested. Footage showed officers kicking and striking protesters as they attempted to break up the gathering.
The demonstrations have persisted for five days, despite a ban on rallies in the city. While some protests remained peaceful, others resulted in violent confrontations with law enforcement.
Riot-equipped officers physically subdued individuals outside city hall, with some seen kicking protesters and assaulting them with batons.
Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday, facing allegations of corruption and connections to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group designated as a terrorist organization in Türkiye. An Istanbul court upheld his arrest on Sunday, leading to his suspension from office. He has denied the allegations, asserting that the prosecution is politically motivated.
In a post on X, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that some police officers experienced violence on the streets. He emphasized, “We will never allow vandalism or threats to the peace and security of our nation.”
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), refuted claims that the party instigated violence. He responded to Yerlikaya, stating, “You will respect the democratic reaction that is the constitutional right of the nation. Any order given against it will be unlawful.”
Imamoglu, who ran for vice president in the 2023 presidential election, is viewed as the leading candidate for the CHP in the upcoming 2028 presidential race.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
