Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed on Saturday that 343 suspects were arrested across nine Turkish provinces last night during protests against Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest. 

Imamoglu, Istanbul's influential mayor and top political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested for fraud and terror charges, prompting his party, the CHP, to call for new rallies in Turkey's largest city.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul stated that "there are parties inciting citizens and pushing them to clash with security forces," stressing that "these individuals and those cooperating with them are committing a clear crime."

He added, "Our security forces intervene when necessary and to the extent required to maintain the security and safety of citizens," emphasizing that Turkish authorities will not allow this "dirty plan" to succeed, and that "everyone will be held accountable in court."

Meanwhile, Turkiye’s Presidential Communications Directorate denied reports claiming that "Britain and France had urged their citizens to leave Turkey."

During yesterday's protests, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 16 police officers were injured. Police detained 54 people for what police called "incitement to hatred" in internet remarks.

Turkey's opposition leader Ozgur Ozel had called for and attended the protests in support of Imamoglu, and alleged that Erdogan was attempting to "twist the arm" of Imamoglu by weaponizing the judiciary. 

As he spoke, violence broke out on the margins of the rally, with riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets, according to two AFP journalists who were both shot in the leg.

As CHP's Ozel called for nationwide protests, Erdogan vowed Turkiye would not surrender to "street terror", accusing Ozel of "grave irresponsibility" and raising concerns about potential legal action. Authorities extended the protest ban to Ankara and Izmir, closing key routes, while police clashed with demonstrators in Istanbul and Ankara, arresting 88.

'Say no to the coup'

Despite Imamoglu's imprisonment, the CHP has pledged to hold its primary on Sunday, where it would formally nominate him as its candidate for the 2028 election.

The party stated that it would let anybody, not only party members, vote, stating, "Come to the ballot box and say 'no' to the coup attempt!"

According to observers, the government may strive to obstruct the primary in order to prevent Imamgolu from receiving further support.

"If a large number of people show up and vote for Imamoglu, it will further legitimize him domestically and really move things in a direction that Erdogan doesn't want," Gonul Tol of the Middle East Institute in Washington told AFP.

Protesters in Ankara Turkey, mainly students, are pushing back police and their water cannons. pic.twitter.com/pahzX0K1uB

— kakasloi (@kakasloi) March 21, 2025