The Republican People’s Party (CHP) organized a massive demonstration in Maltepe Square, Istanbul, on Saturday to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

According to Al Mayadeen’s Turkiye bureau chief, Saturday's protest marks the largest demonstration since March 19, with CHP leader Ozgur Ozel stating that over 2.2 million people had gathered in Istanbul.

“This is about Turkiye’s future”

Addressing the crowd, CHP’s Istanbul branch head Ugur Celik emphasized that the protests are not just about Imamoglu but about "the entire country and the future of Turkiye."

"Erdogan refuses to hear the voices of young people. He gives unlawful orders and avoids responsibility. He even blames external forces, interest rate lobbies, farmers, traders, and even grocery store and bakery owners for the economic crisis he created," Celik said in his speech.

He then read a letter from Imamoglu, in which the imprisoned mayor declared: "I have committed no crime, and I am proud of what I have done as mayor. I do not need to prove my innocence—Erdogan is the one who must prove his. He is orchestrating a political conspiracy against me and hiding behind secret witnesses."

Widespread protests, opposition mobilized

Since Imamoglu’s imprisonment, mass protests have erupted across multiple Turkish cities, with opposition groups condemning the arrest as a direct attack on political freedoms.

The opposition-controlled Istanbul city council recently elected Nuri Aslan as the temporary mayor to manage city affairs until further legal developments.

Imamoglu was jailed pending trial on corruption charges, which he and his supporters vehemently deny, calling them politically motivated. His arrest has galvanized Turkiye’s opposition, sparking student movements and nationwide demonstrations.

His detention and the consequent protest have led to a harsh government crackdown, drawing sharp condemnation from human rights organizations and international criticism.

Escalating arrests campaign

Turkiye escalated its arrest campaign on Friday, arresting a lawyer and several journalists as the wave of protests continued for the second week.