Turkey’s protests over Istanbul mayor grow into ‘fight about democracy’

Anger over detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu becomes a touchstone for opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

When demonstrators gathered at Istanbul’s city hall last week in outrage at the arrest of mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, 26-year-old Azra said she was initially too scared to defy a ban on gatherings. As protests grew on university campuses and in cities and towns across Turkey, she could no longer resist joining.

“I saw the spark in people’s eyes and the excitement on their faces, and I decided I had to come down here,” she said with a grin, standing among tens of thousands that defied a ban on assembly to fill the streets around city hall on Friday night. Despite the crowds, Azra feared reprisals and declined to give her full name. Many demonstrators were masked in a bid to defy facial recognition technology and fearing the teargas or pepper spray sometimes deployed by the police. Others smiled and took selfies to celebrate as fireworks illuminated the night sky.

Topics

Turkey warns against growing street protests over detained Istanbul mayor

Turkey’s government warned against “illegal” calls from the main opposition for street protests over the detention of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
NBC News - 2d
Turkey's opposition urges peaceful protests over Istanbul mayor's arrest despite bans

Turkey's opposition party has urged supporters to take to the streets for peaceful demonstrations against the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor and top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
ABC News - 2d
‘This is about injustice’: crowds defy ban to protest over Istanbul mayor’s detention

People gather at city hall and students march in anger at arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a likely opposition candidate for presidency. Outside Istanbul’s city hall on Wednesday night a mass of ...
The Guardian - 3d
Hundreds arrested in third night of Turkey protests

Police arrested Istanbul's mayor, a key opposition figure, on Wednesday, sparking protests.
BBC News - 1d
In Turkey, Critics of Erdogan See Democracy Eroding After Istanbul Mayor’s Detention

Opponents say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan manipulates the courts and the media to tighten his grip on power, and now is trying to prevent a top contender from running for president.
The New York Times - 23h
Istanbul mayor, a key rival of Turkey's President Erdogan, is arrested

Critics say the arrest of Istanbul's mayor is part of a mounting crackdown by Turkey's president to silence all dissent.
CBS News - 3d
Police arrest Istanbul mayor and key Erdogan rival over alleged corruption and terror links

Police in Turkey arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links.
NBC News - 4d
Tens of thousands protest in Turkey against arrest of Erdoğan rival

Detention of Istanbul’s popular mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu galvanises opposition and leads to stock market plunge
Financial Times - 1d
Turkey detains hundreds of protesters as demonstrations over mayor’s arrest intensify

Detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu has set off economic and political turmoil
Financial Times - 17h
Turkey detains 37 in escalating crackdown on opposition to Erdoğan

Hundreds more sought by authorities as they move to stifle dissent over arrest of popular Istanbul mayor
Financial Times - 2d
Turkey Arrests Istanbul Mayor, Key Rival to President Erdogan

The mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was detained after prosecutors accused him of corruption and terrorism. The opposition said the arrest was politically motivated.
The New York Times - 3d
Police arrest Istanbul mayor over alleged corruption and terror links

Turkish police have arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror links
ABC News - 4d
Turkey Ousts and Jails Istanbul Mayor, Who Was Expected to Run for President

Supporters of the mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, said that corruption charges against him were a ploy to hobble the main political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The New York Times - 45m
Thousands rally outside Istanbul city hall for 2nd night over mayor's arrest

Thousands of people have gathered outside Istanbul’s city hall for a second consecutive night to rally against the arrest of the city’s popular mayor
ABC News - 2d
Thousands protest in Israel over ‘attack on democracy’ by Netanyahu

Protesters accuse PM of continuing Gaza war for political reasons and ignoring plight of hostages still held by Hamas. Israel–Gaza war – latest updates Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken ...
The Guardian - 3d
Turkey prosecutors request arrest of Istanbul mayor, Erdogan's top challenger

A court will decide whether the popular opposition figure will be jailed.
ABC News - 14h
Erdoğan’s move against main rival plunges Turkey into crisis

Politicians and investors say arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu marks dangerous turning point in authoritarian slide
Financial Times - 3d
Istanbul mayor jailed on day of likely presidential nomination

Ekrem İmamoğlu, rival of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, placed in pre-trial detention along with dozens of staff and officials. An Istanbul court has formally arrested the city’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on ...
The Guardian - 2h
Political free fall: Turkey faces protests, investor flight after opposition leader's arrest

Concern over stability and economic security in Turkey could damage financial inflows at a time when investor confidence in the country is already shaky.
CNBC - 3d
Protests grow over Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist's arrest

A judge is slamming the brakes on the Trump administration's attempt to deport a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University's 2024 student encampment protests.
CBS News - Mar. 10
Turkish court orders Istanbul mayor jailed pending trial on corruption charges

A court has formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges
ABC News - 7h
Istanbul mayor arrested days before likely presidential nomination

Ekrem İmamoğlu of CHP opposition party detained alongside 100 others accused of corruption and links to terror groups. Turkish police have arrested the mayor of Istanbul, detaining the primary ...
The Guardian - 3d
Key Erdogan rival's diploma is revoked in a move that blocks him from Turkey's election

A university has invalidated Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma in a move widely perceived as politically motivated to block him from from running in the next presidential race
ABC News - 4d
In turnaround, Miami Beach mayor backs down from threatening theater over 'No Other Land'

The mayor of Miami Beach withdrew a resolution to terminate the lease and funding from a local theater after it showed the Oscar-winning documentary about the West Bank.
Los Angeles Times - 3d
Turkish lira, stock market drop after Istanbul mayor and Erdogan rival arrested

Imamoglu, the popular 53-year-old mayor was seen as the next opposition party candidate for the Turkish presidency.
CNBC - 4d
Protests on International Women's Day in Turkey demand protection from domestic violence

Thousands of women have taken to the streets of Turkish cities to mark International Women’s Day, protesting inequality and violence against women
ABC News - Mar. 8
5 Things to Know About the Rise and Fall of Mayor Eric Adams

Here are five takeaways from the Magazine’s profile of New York City’s mayor.
The New York Times - Mar. 8
Turkey and Israel face mounting tensions over future of post-Assad Syria

The fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government has aggravated the already tense relations between Turkey and Israel, with their conflicting interests in Syria pushing the relationship ...
ABC News - Mar. 15
Florida mayor drops threat to evict cinema over No Other Land screening

The Oscar-winning film, about a Palestinian community resisting displacement and violence from Israeli forces, has become the latest focus of a culture war in the state. After a week of ...
The Guardian - 3d
Istanbul mayor arrested ahead of selection to run against Erdogan

Ekrem Imamoglu, a rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been charged with corruption.
BBC News - 41m
Grief and anger over rail disaster brings protests back to Greece’s streets

Kyriakos Mitsotakis survives vote of confidence but sense of a cover-up grows two years after 57 died in head-on collision. Until recently, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, appeared ...
The Guardian - Mar. 9
Florida Mayor Drops Threat to Evict Cinema Over Showing of ‘No Other Land’

After an emotional city meeting, the mayor of Miami Beach dropped his effort to end a theater’s lease over its showing of “No Other Land.”
The New York Times - 3d
US senator and Trump supporter Steve Daines is visiting Beijing as tariff fight grows

U.S. Senator Steve Daines is visiting Beijing as the U.S. and China swap tariff threats and harsh words over each others’ handling of the illegal trade in fentanyl
ABC News - 2d
The alarming detention of the Turkish president’s rival

Move against Istanbul mayor brings fears of authoritarian slide by Erdoğan
Financial Times - 3d
Mahmoud Khalil Was Public Face of Protest Against Israel at Columbia

Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident of the United States, was arrested in his Manhattan apartment and sent to Louisiana. His detention sets up a fight over free speech.
The New York Times - Mar. 11
Murphy says Americans want Democrats to 'take risks right now' to 'save our democracy'

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said on Sunday that Americans want Democrats to “take risks right now” to “save our democracy” after internal party divisions over a funding bill. “While I totally ...
The Hill - Mar. 16
UCLA sued over attack on pro-Palestinian protesters

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was sued Thursday over the clash at a pro-Palestinian encampment last spring that injured dozens of protesters. The civil rights lawsuit was filed ...
The Hill - 2d
Trial to begin for Haiti town’s ex-mayor on charges he lied about rights abuses to get U.S. residency

A former mayor from Haiti is set to go on trial Monday after authorities say he lied on his visa application about committing rights abuses in his country.
NBC News - 6d
FBI issues alert over attacks on Tesla vehicles

To protest Elon Musk's politics, demonstrators are going after his business with large events outside Tesla showrooms. And as violent attacks on Tesla vehicles and charging stations grow, the FBI ...
NBC News - 16h