343 detained during protests against Imamoglu's arrest in Turkey
In Turkey, during nighttime protests against the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, 343 people were detained, according to Unian.
The protests occurred in more than 10 cities, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Politico reports that social network X blocked several accounts belonging to individuals sharing information about the protests and their locations. In other countries, however, these accounts remain accessible.
The Turkish Minister of the Interior stated that 326 accounts had been identified, and 54 people were detained as part of the investigation.
Imamoglu’s arrest sparked outrage, just days before he was to be announced as the candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) for the presidential election. He has been charged with corruption and terrorism.
More than 18 million posts related to Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest were found on X.
The CHP has accused the government of orchestrating Imamoglu’s arrest, along with that of 105 others, claiming it is an effort to eliminate a political rival. The Turkish government insists that the arrests are part of independent investigations.
The Governor of Istanbul province imposed a four-day ban on protests and gatherings, effective until March 23. Despite the ban, people continue to protest Imamoglu’s arrest, with him being held at the central police headquarters in Turkey’s largest city.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
🟡NOW: Massive turnout for anti-government protests now in Istanbul, Turkey. Other cities are also seeing large protests. Opposition parties and organizations had vowed beforehand to mobilize "millions." pic.twitter.com/yQi9NgxeBt
— red. (@redstreamnet) March 21, 2025
