Hundreds arrested in ongoing protests against Imamoglu's arrest in Turkey

Turkish authorities stated that 343 individuals were arrested on third night of protests on Friday. The protests started after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested, on Wednesday. He is a prominent opposition figure.

Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and supporting terrorist organizations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the protests. He indicated that his administration would not succumb to "vandalism" or "street terror." He said, "We will not accept the disruption of public order."

Imamoglu, a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), is considered Erdogan's main political opponent.

He was among the people arrested, including politicians, journalists, and businessmen, during an investigation.

Protests continue despite restrictions

Protesters rallied in large groups in Istanbul on Friday, where riot police broke up crowds using rubber bullets and pepper gas. Clashes also erupted in other cities including Izmir.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel organized another rally outside the city hall in Istanbul at 8:30 PM local time, calling for peaceful protests nationwide. "Tear down those barricades without hurting the police, fill the streets and squares," he declared.

In retaliation, the authorities banned gatherings for four days in Istanbul, which was subsequently extended to other cities such as Ankara and Izmir.

Thousands of people kept protested throughout the nation. To avoid further protests, Istanbul's pro-Erdogan governor directed the shutting down of large bridges connecting to city hall.

The authorities also detained 54 individuals for spreading hate on social media, and 16 police officers were wounded.

Imamoglu's arrest is one of several recent crackdowns on opposition leaders, journalists, and others. The arrests have been criticized as politically motivated, but the Ministry of Justice denies any motive and maintains the integrity of the judiciary.

Imamoglu was re-elected as mayor of Istanbul last year, a big loss for Erdogan's party. Since Erdogan is not eligible to run for president in 2028 because of term limits, Imamoglu emerges as a possible rival.

The CHP will cast its ballot on Sunday to select its candidate for the presidency, with Imamoglu the sole candidate. They are also going to conduct a symbolic election throughout Turkey to demonstrate their support for the arrested mayor.