Thousands protest against arrest of Istanbul mayor seen as key Erdoğan rival
Authorities closed off roads and implemented a four-day demonstration ban in an effort to prevent protests following Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/03/20/thousands-protest-against-arrest-of-istanbul-mayor-seen-as-key-erdogan-rival
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Authorities closed off roads and implemented a four-day demonstration ban in an effort to prevent protests following Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest.
READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/03/20/thousands-protest-against-arrest-of-istanbul-mayor-seen-as-key-erdogan-rival
Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Istanbul on Thursday, despite a demonstration
00:06ban implemented by local authorities.
00:09People are protesting against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul's mayor, who is
00:14also a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
00:17What they are doing is absolutely unlawful, unlawful and baseless.
00:23This is not democracy.
00:27The leader of the mayor's Republican People's Party criticized the arrest and claimed Erdoğan
00:32targeted İmamoğlu as he feared losing to him in the ballots.
00:36What is done is a coup.
00:39It is a coup attempt.
00:40The Turkish Minister of Justice countered these allegations and said that the courts
00:44operate independently.
00:47The investigations carried out by the impartial and independent judiciary should be taken to
00:52different sides.
00:54It is extremely dangerous and wrong to describe it with statements such as a coup.
00:59European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed deep concern over the arrest.
01:04She reminded Turkey of its obligation to uphold democratic values.
01:08We want Turkey to remain anchored to Europe, but this requires a clear commitment to democratic
01:15norms and practices, and it is key that Turkey respects these fundamental principles.
01:21Prosecutors have accused İmamoğlu of corruption as well as aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.