Thousands protest against arrest of Istanbul mayor seen as key Erdoğan rival

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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  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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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.

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