People shout slogans during a rally called by Republican People's Party or (CHP) against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Turkey's Istanbul to demand the release of the city's mayor, whose arrest has sparked nationwide protests.
Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on March 19 on corruption and terrorism charges widely seen as politically motivated. The government insists the judiciary is independent.
His arrest on March 23 led to protests across Turkey, despite bans on public gatherings, police crackdowns, and legal threats.
The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) organised Saturday’s rally, the latest in a wave of demonstrations that have led to hundreds of arrests and increased pressure on Erdogan.
“They’ve detained hundreds of our children, thousands of our youths... arrested hundreds of them,” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel told protesters.
“They only had one goal in mind: to intimidate them, terrify them, make sure they never go out again.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday that nearly 1,900 people had been detained since March 19.
Pro-government media reported on Friday that prosecutors are seeking up to three years in prison for 74 of the detainees.
Police kept their distance at Saturday’s rally, and no new arrests were reported.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called for the immediate release of Imamoglu and other political prisoners, including Selahattin Demirtas, a former presidential candidate and founder of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM.
“In Turkey we envision presidential candidates will not be imprisoned,” added Ozel.
Last Sunday, just hours after his formal arrest, Imamoglu won a symbolic primary to be the CHP’s candidate in the presidential election, currently set for 2028 but expected to be held sooner.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said the party would start collecting signatures to demand Imamoglu’s release and push for an early election.
Speakers at Saturday’s rally included Imamoglu’s wife, Dilek Imamoglu, and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, another prominent CHP figure.
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