The protests began when the authorities arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem ̇mamoğlu on Wednesday. ̇Mamoğlu is the number one challenger of the self -president recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
10: 39 • Updated 10:45
Anti -government protests expanded and accelerated in Turkey in the evening and last night.
According to Opposition, the largest city in Istanbul, Istanbul, had about 300,000 protesters.
Police and protesters in Istanbul were briskly brought together.
Police fired protesters toward rubber bullets and used tears and pepper gas.
The protesters thrown riot police toward rocks and fireworks and trying to get through the front of the police. There were also clashes in the capital in Ankara and Izmir.
Protests began when the authorities arrested the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem ̇mamoğlu Wednesday. ̇Mamoğlu is a self -contained president Recep Tayyip Erdoğanin First challenger.
These are the largest protests in Turkey for more than ten years.
According to the opposition, the charges are fake
Authorities accuse ̇mamoğlu for corruption and helping terrorist groups. The cause of terrorism applies to the alleged support of ̇mamoğlu to the Kurdistan Labor Party PKK. Corruption is related to the alleged abuse of official position and assets.
The opposition considers the prosecution completely fake and political.
According to the opposition, Erdoğan’s purpose is to prevent ̇mamoğlu campaigning and to crush the CHP, a Republican People’s Party.
The CHP is expected to appoint ̇mamoğlu tomorrow as his presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
Police have continued to interrogate ̇mamoğlu today. Yesterday, according to Turkish media, he was questioned. ̇Mamoğlu has denied the charges.
̇Mamoğlu is likely to be exported later today for prosecutors to be heard.
The opposition intends to continue the demonstrations.
Erdoğan has said that the government is not going to tolerate street protests. Authorities have prohibited demonstrations in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.