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Opposition Rally Continues Amid Protests in Turkey
In Turkey, nationwide protests are ongoing, as the head of the main opposition party has vowed to push for either early presidential elections or the release of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The protests, which have largely remained peaceful, turned violent recently when demonstrators faced police action involving tear gas and rubber bullets.
Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), stated that demonstrations will be held in “every city,” culminating in a significant rally this Saturday in Istanbul, which will kick off the campaign to position Imamoglu as the party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election in 2028.
Ozel proclaimed, “In every city we go to, we will have the biggest rallies in their history,” indicating a strong belief in both Imamoglu and the democratic process fueling the ongoing protests. The crowds reflect the largest mobilization seen in over a decade following Imamoglu’s arrest a week ago.
However, this civil unrest has led to a series of arrests, with more than 1,400 individuals detained, including several journalists who were covering the events. The scale of the demonstrations signifies a strong opposition stance against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
President Erdogan has characterized the protests as “street terrorism,” accusing attendees of engaging in violence against police and vandalizing public property. He has forecast that the opposition’s demonstrations will eventually lose momentum.
Ozel, following a visit to the high-security Silivri Prison where Imamoglu is incarcerated, reported that the mayor is currently in solitary confinement but is in good health and has not suffered mistreatment. Ozel described the corruption charges against Imamoglu as an orchestrated effort to undermine his reputation, refuting claims about suspicious land purchases tied to the case.
Imamoglu denies all accusations, which range from establishing a criminal organization to extortion and bribery, and has argues that his arrest is a politically motivated attack. While Turkish officials assert the independence of the judicial system, many human rights organizations contest this view.
Ozel emphasized that the motivation behind Imamoglu’s arrest is clear — to obstruct his path to the presidency. Current opinion polls suggest that, if released, Imamoglu stands a strong chance of winning the upcoming elections.
“Erdogan has thrown a three-time election winner in jail… in front of the whole world,” Ozel remarked, comparing the situation to sports where a competitor resorts to unfair tactics when losing.
The CHP views the response from Turkish society and international observers as pivotal in determining Imamoglu’s future. Ozel expressed disappointment with the lack of support from the UK Labour Party and its leader, Keir Starmer, calling for a stronger stance from democratic allies during this critical moment.
Starmer’s office has responded, indicating awareness of the ongoing legal proceedings in Turkey and reaffirming expectations for Turkey to maintain the rule of law.
Should Imamoglu remain imprisoned, the CHP is committed to continuing its campaign for the presidency, with Ozel asserting, “If they keep Ekrem Imamoglu locked up and hinder his candidacy, any member of CHP can be a candidate and would be elected with 65% to 70%.” This declaration underscores the party’s resolve in the face of escalating political tensions.
Source
www.bbc.com