Erdogan’s main foe was arrested, which led to large-scale protests in Turkey

According to the Interior Ministry, 343 demonstrators were arrested by Turkish authorities following nocturnal demonstrations protesting the incarceration of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in over a dozen towns.

Major cities saw protests that started on Thursday and lasted until Saturday. Despite a ban on rallies, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to voice their opposition to Imamoglu’s incarceration.

Protests have taken place all over Turkey, especially in the largest cities, including the capital, Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Antalya, Izmir, Konya, and several others.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media, “Those who attempt to disrupt social order, jeopardize the peace and security of the people, and seek chaos and provocation will not be tolerated.”

Imamoglu, a member of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the primary opposition to Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party, was arrested by Turkish police on suspicion of assisting a terrorist organization and corruption, labeling him a “criminal organization leader suspect.”

According to pro-government media, Imamoglu has been charged with fraud, extortion, and supporting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a terrorist group.

“The will of the people cannot be silenced,” Imamoglu said online on the day of his arrest, adding that he will “stand resolute” for the Turkish people “and all who uphold democracy and justice worldwide.”

Opposition and government critics across the country protested and cried out against the detention, calling it “a coup against our next president.”

Following months of legal repression of opposition leaders nationwide, Imamoglu, the two-term mayor of Istanbul, was arrested.

Critics argue that the crackdown is harming the opposition’s chances of winning the next presidential election.

Imamoglu was elected mayor of Istanbul for a second time last year after his CHP party won both the local elections in Istanbul and Ankara.

The election was the first time since Erdogan took office that his party had lost nationwide.

The accusation of a coup has been refuted by Erdogan and his party, who have maintained the independence of Turkey’s judiciary for the past 22 years.

In 2028, Turkey will have its next presidential election. Since Erdogan is in his second term and was prime minister before, he is not eligible to seek office again.

Erdogan would have to amend the constitution or hold an early poll before the conclusion of his term to run in another election.