# 2025 Turkish anti-government protests

The 2025 Turkish anti-government protests refer to a series of public demonstrations that erupted on March 19, 2025, following the arrest and detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu by Turkish authorities. The gatherings represented significant public opposition to what participants characterized as politically motivated legal actions against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's primary political rival.

## Background

Ekrem İmamoğlu, a 54-year-old politician from the Republican People's Party (CHP), had served as Mayor of Istanbul since 2019. İmamoğlu had achieved notable electoral victories against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's allies in both the 2019 and 2024 municipal elections, during which the CHP secured control of most major Turkish cities. These victories were widely interpreted as significant challenges to Erdogan's political dominance.
In the months preceding his detention, İmamoğlu had intensified his criticism of the Erdogan administration, resulting in multiple legal actions against him. On March 19, 2025, Turkish authorities detained İmamoğlu on allegations that included corruption and providing assistance to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), an organization designated as terrorist by Turkey and its Western allies. About 100 individuals, including journalists and business figures, were also accused of alleged criminal activities connected to municipal contracts. Charges included leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, and manipulating tender processes. Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu's academic degree, which would disqualify him from participating in future presidential elections if upheld.

## Protests

CHP leader Özgür Özel characterized the detention as "a coup attempt against the next President" and urged opposition groups to unify in response. Within hours of the mayor's detention, more than one hundred demonstrators assembled near Istanbul's central police headquarters, where İmamoğlu had been transported following his arrest. Protesters expressed vocal support for the detained mayor while chanting anti-government and anti-Erdoğan slogans. Demonstrators characterized the detention as an attack on Turkish democratic processes and institutions, with some describing it as "a coup against Imamoglu", emphasizing that İmamoğlu had "beat Erdoğan four times at the ballot box" through legitimate democratic processes. Other protesters expressed their belief that the detention would ultimately strengthen public support for Imamoglu, with many anticipating the arrest and vowing to continue demonstrations until the decision was reversed. Municipal workers were among those participating in the demonstrations.
The Istanbul Governor's Office responded by prohibiting all public gatherings throughout the city, deploying security forces to establish barricades around the police facility. Riot police units and water cannon vehicles were positioned to block access roads leading to the headquarters.

## Reactions

Despite his detention, İmamoğlu managed to post a social media statement in defiance, stating that he would "not give up" and would "continue standing up against the pressure" as a significant opposition figure against the current administration.

#### Turkish government

Following Imamoglu's detention and during subsequent protests, the Istanbul governor's office prohibited all public gatherings and demonstrations throughout the city for a four-day period. The office also closed major roads and rail networks located in central Istanbul. Access to various social media platforms including Twitter/X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok was restricted, according to reports from internet monitoring organizations.
The Turkish government denied allegations from protesters and opposition parties, maintaining that the judiciary operated independently from political influence. When specifically questioned about claims that the detention was politically motivated, representatives from President Erdogan's office did not provide immediate comments.

#### International

The detention of İmamoğlu and the ensuing protests attracted international attention, with various governments and human rights organizations expressing concern about democratic backsliding in Turkey. Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe Dinushika Dissanayake described the Turkish government actions as "draconian" and an escalated "crackdown on peaceful dissent" to limit freedom of assembly and speech.