Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
CIA spokesperson says law enforcement responded to a security incident outside CIA headquarters.
Brigadier General Saree: Operation achieved its targeted successfully, forcing millions of Zionists to flee to shelters, and halted air traffic at the airport.
YAF spokesperson: We've executed a military operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in occupied Yafa with ballistic hypersonic missile.
IOF warning forces residents to evacuate and head South in preparation for expansion of aggression.
IOF issues large-scale evacuation orders for residents of 14 areas in northern Gaza.
Israeli media say that for second time in span of hours, a ballistic missile is launched from Yemen toward "Israel".
Israeli media say large explosion heard in central "Israel".
Israeli media: Missile launch from Yemen takes place at end of Yahya Saree's announcement.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in occupied Al-Quds.
Saree: Escalation of aggression on Gaza and the massacres committed necessitate urgent action by the [Arab-Islamic] nation to fulfill its moral and religious duty.

Protests erupt in Turkiye over Istanbul mayor arrest

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Mar 2025 22:40
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in numerous Turkish cities calling for the resignation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

Listen
  • x
  • People gather outside the City Hall to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul, Turkiye, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (AP)
    People gather outside the City Hall to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul, Turkiye, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of Turks took to the streets on Wednesday night in multiple cities to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, and Izmir, calling for the resignation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.

Opposition party calls for nationwide protests

Following Imamoglu's arrest, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)—of which he is a leading member—called for nationwide demonstrations and urged its supporters to gather outside party offices across Turkiye.

According to Turkish media, riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, as tensions escalated in major cities.

Related News

X blocks jailed Turkish mayor’s page after opposition protests

Turkish students hold fresh protests in Istanbul, Ankara

Imamoglu was set to challenge Erdogan

Reuters reported that the CHP was on the verge of officially nominating Imamoglu as its candidate to challenge Erdogan in upcoming elections. The agency described him as a strong contender in any future presidential race. 

Meanwhile, AFP noted that the arrest could derail Imamoglu's plans to run against Erdogan in the 2028 elections, as it comes just days before his expected formal nomination as the CHP’s presidential candidate.

Following Imamoglu’s detention, Turkiye restricted access to multiple social media platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, according to the NetBlocks internet observatory.

Tightening the noose on Imamoglu

In a separate development, a Turkish university on Tuesday revoked Imamoglu’s degree, alleging it was fraudulently obtained.

Under the Turkish constitution, a presidential candidate must hold a higher education degree.

Imamoglu denounced the ruling as "unlawful" and vowed to challenge it in court. "We will fight this illegitimate decision in court," said the 53-year-old, who has faced mounting legal challenges that critics describe as politically motivated. "

We will build a system that will erase injustice from this country's memory," he added, warning that those responsible for the decision would one day be held accountable.

Opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the move as a "black mark" on Turkiye’s legal and academic institutions, insisting it would not deter the party from nominating Imamoglu as its presidential candidate. He is expected to be formally named at a party congress on Sunday.

  • Turkiye
  • Istanbul
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Ekrem Imamoglu

Most Read

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025
Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

  • MENA
  • 17 May 2025
Rachel Accurso criticized for speaking out on Gaza children crisis

Ms. Rachel accused of antisemitism for speaking out for Gaza children

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025
Martyrs, injuries in violent Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza

Israeli operation fails; IOF launch violent strikes on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 19 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Telegram jumps to $540mn profit despite founder facing legal peril: FT
Technology

Telegram jumps to $540mn profit despite founder facing legal peril: FT

Ireland's Simon Harris speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Ireland’s deputy premier accuses Israeli government of genocidal acts

Israeli occupation forces near military vehicles at the Gaza border (AP)
Palestine

WSJ: War fatigue grows in 'Israel' 19 months into war on Gaza

The facade of Trump Tower is shown in New York, Friday, March 22, 2024 (AP/Ted Shaffrey)
MENA

Trump Tower in Damascus: Inside Syria’s bold proposal

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS