Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has rejected allegations linking him to corruption and terrorism, as nationwide protests grow in response to his detention and Turkish authorities ramp up arrests of demonstrators.

According to Turkish broadcaster A Haber, Imamoglu spent five hours testifying on Saturday in connection with charges that he appointed individuals with alleged links to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to municipal positions. He is expected to appear in court later in the evening at 7:30 p.m. local time (16:30 GMT).

Dismissing the allegations, Imamoglu defended his campaign activities and denied employing individuals affiliated with the PKK. "Contacts he had with various political parties during the election campaign were natural," he said, adding that his detention "undermined Turkiye's democracy."

Political Unrest

Imamoglu was taken into custody on Wednesday as part of a broader investigation into an organization accused of bribery, graft, and supporting terrorism. His arrest, widely viewed as politically charged, has triggered an outpouring of opposition protests across Turkiye.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Saturday that 343 people were arrested in nine provinces during demonstrations overnight. He also said 16 police officers were injured during the clashes, and 54 individuals were detained for "incitement to hatred" through online posts.

Read more: Imamoglu declared as opposition presidential candidate despite arrest

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul condemned what he described as attempts to incite violence. "There are parties inciting citizens and pushing them to clash with security forces," he stated. "These individuals and those cooperating with them are committing a clear crime." He further warned that Turkish authorities would not allow this "dirty plan" to succeed and that "everyone will be held accountable in court." 

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the opposition's reaction to the arrest. "The country's opposition had ‘lost balance,' resorting to threatening police, judges and prosecutors," he said on Thursday.

Defiant Mobilization

Despite the crackdown, the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkiye's main opposition bloc, is pressing forward with further demonstrations. "The squares are ours, the streets are ours. We are meeting in Sarachane [the district of Istanbul where the city administration building is located] tonight at 8.30 p.m.," the CHP announced on X.

The party has also vowed to proceed with its primary vote on Sunday to formally nominate Imamoglu as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election. In a show of defiance, the CHP opened the primary to all citizens, declaring: "Come to the ballot box and say ‘no' to the coup attempt!"

Authorities have heightened security measures across Istanbul, especially around police headquarters and key administrative buildings, as tensions remain high and protests continue to spread.