Turkey is Experiencing an unprecedented wave of repression as Protests Intensify Following the Arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Opposition Mayor of Istanbul. According to an formal report release on worldly by interior minister Ali Yerlikaya, More than 1,130 people have been arrested since the protets began on March 19. A dozen journalists were arrested.
”1,133 Suspects Were Arrested in Connection With Illegal Activities Carried Outween March 19 and 23, 2025,” Said the Interior Minister on the Social Network. Faced with the Scale of the Mobilization, the Turkish Authorities have temporally Banned all gatherings in the country’s hand cities.
Arrest of Journalists and Repression of the Press
The Crackdown also extended to the media. Ten Journalists, included in France-Presse Photographer Agency, Were Arrested on Monday at their homes in Istanbul and Izmir, According to the Turkish Human Rights Association Mlsa. The Arrests Come on the Heels of Fresh Protests that has shaken the country.
“At Least 10 Journalists Were Arrested in Dawn Raids in Istanbul and Izmir on the Morning of March 24, Mlsa Says. Over the Past Four Days, More than 20 Journalists have been been beaten by police or activists.
Among Those Arrested by Raids on their Homes in Istanbul on the Morning of March 24 WERE CITY PHOJURISS MALLET Koelç, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Photojournalist Kurtulul C and AFP Photojournist Yasin Akgal. NOW correspond to Ali Onur Tosun, Freelance Journalist Zeynep Kuray, Journalist Hayri Tunç and Bakskhan Kam Municipality Photo Journalist we also arrested as part of the operation. In Izmir, it was reported that photojournalist Murat kocaba was arrested when his house was raided. Writer Bara Znce was also arrested that morning.
Imamoglu nominated as candidate for 2028
Despite his prisonment and suspension from Mayoral duties, Ekrem Imamoglu has been officially nominated by his party as a candidate for the Presidential Election Scheduled for 2028. The Main Opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, He Spent His First Night in Silivri, On the Western Outskirts of Istanbul.
International condemnation
Protests continues unabated, with new calls for demonstrations across the country on monday eventing for the sixth consecutive day. On the international scene, reactions are multiplying. French Diplomats Described Imamoglu’s Arrest and Imprisonment As “a serious Attack on Democracy”.
The European Union, Through Guillaume Mercier, Spokesman for the European Commission, URGED Turkey to “Respect Democratic Values”, Recalling that “We Want Turkey to Remain Anchored in Europe, but this requires in Clear Commitment to Democratic Standards and Practices”.
Marc Cools, President of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Called for the Mayor’s “Immored Release”, Saying that detention was a “calculator maneuver” that Undermined “The Fairness of Electoral Processs”.
As tension moves in the country, Further demonstrations are expected in the coming days, Despite the Authorities’ Ban on gatherings. Dictatorship is on the March in Turkey.
🔴💥🔥#Turkey Many journalists have been beaten and kicked the police.
Journalist Tansel Can, who was running for a television channel in Russia, was beaten by 7 police officers and taken to the hospital ❗️– Neruda57 🐝🕊️🔻 (@neruda57) March 24, 2025
Incredible what’s going on in #Turkey
The Turks are on the street and promise to overthrow the Dictator Erdoganpic.twitter.com/x7da4yrtdc– Raph Israel (@raphlesioniste2) March 23, 2025
🇹🇷 #Turkey | The crowd accumulates to support Ekrem Imamoglu, principal opponent of President Rece Tayyip Erdogan, who was imprisoned in Marmara. The councilor denounced a “execution without trial”.pic.twitter.com/qgwnabi5c8
– Sirens (@sirenesfr) March 24, 2025