Turkish authorities have detained 343 people during overnight protests across multiple cities following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday.
Demonstrations erupted in more than a dozen cities, including Istanbul and the capital Ankara, as public anger over İmamoğlu’s detention intensified. The Interior Ministry said the arrests were made to prevent “disrupting public order” and warned that authorities would not tolerate “chaos and provocation.”
Since Wednesday, tens of thousands have taken to the streets in largely peaceful protests after İmamoğlu was detained on charges including graft and aiding a terrorist organization. The Istanbul mayor, a key opposition figure, is seen as President Tayyip Erdoğan’s strongest political rival, leading him in some opinion polls.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has denounced the charges as politically motivated and called on supporters to continue demonstrating within the bounds of the law.