Turkish rally ‘for justice’ after mayor’s detention

A competitor to the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was officially arrested and charged with corruption.

Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, Turkey, is expected to be chosen as a presidential candidate for the Republican Party (CHP) for the year 2028 in Sunday poll.

It was quoted by Imamoglu in these allegations and in a statement on social media, and quoted him as saying: “I will never bend.”

On Wednesday, his detention sparked some of the biggest protests in more than a decade. Erdogan condemned the demonstrations and accused CHP of trying to “disturb peace and attract our people.”

On Saturday, tear gas was stuck in the air outside the mayor’s office in Istanbul, before the protests began properly.

When the crowds slept throughout the evening, it became difficult to breathe as a tour was launched after it was launched on demonstrators.

“Rights, Law, Justice,” challenged people of all ages a government ban on gatherings to protest what they see is illegal detention.

A young woman, wearing black and wearing a face -to -face mask, told BBC that she was not protesting for political reasons or because she supported the opposition, but instead to defend democracy.

“I am here for justice, I am here for freedom. We are free people and this Turkish people cannot accept. This is against our behavior and culture.”

Another woman, who brought her 11 -year -old son to the protests, said she wanted to bring him because she is worried about his future.

“It is difficult to live in Türkiye day after day, we cannot control our lives, and we cannot choose who we want and there is no real justice here.”

He tells us very much that no one spoke to the BBC felt comfortable while giving his name or showing their face.

Many in the streets said on Saturday evening, who are sighing themselves, to the BBC that they were abroad fighting for a future that they could believe in.

In Ankara and Ezmer, the police deployed water cannons against the demonstrators.

Over the past four nights, thousands have moved to the streets throughout Türkiye in largely peaceful demonstrations.

The authorities tried to strangle the demonstrations in the streets with a four -day ban on all gatherings in Istanbul, which extended to Ankara and Izmir with the spread of protests throughout the country.

Since Thursday, riot police have been repeatedly and repeatedly with the demonstrators, and they could shoot on pepper gas and water cannons towards crowds of demonstrators.

The Turkish authorities said that 343 people were arrested on Friday night, which is the third day of protests throughout the country.

IMamoglu is seen as one of the most political competitors in Erdogan. He is the only person who runs the choice of the presidential candidate for the People’s Party and Communication, which is scheduled to happen on Sunday.

However, Wednesday was one of more than 100 people, including politicians, journalists and other businessmen, who were detained as part of the investigation.

A day before his arrest, Istanbul University announced that it was canceling the degree of Imamoglu due to the alleged violations, which is a procedure – if he was supported – will put his ability to run as a president in doubt.

According to the Turkish constitution, the presidents must have completed higher education for pregnancy.

Erdogan has occupied his position over the past 22 years, as Prime Minister and Prime Minister. However, due to the limits of the duration, he cannot run for the position again in 2028 unless the constitution changes.

Opposition figures say the arrests are motivated. But the Ministry of Justice criticized those who link Erdogan to arrests, and insisted on their judicial independence.