Crowds have gathered outside Istanbul’s municipality building after the shocking news of the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The arrest, which took place this morning, has sparked outrage among supporters of Imamoglu, who is known as President Tayyip Erdogan’s biggest political rival.
Imamoglu, who was expected to be nominated as the opposition party’s candidate for the next presidential election, was arrested along with several of his associates on accusations of corruption and alleged links to terrorism. This move by the Turkish police has caused tension in the city, leading to protests and demonstrations outside the municipality building.
The government’s decision to restrict access to social media sites and ban protests in Istanbul for four days has only intensified the frustration and anger of the demonstrators. The arrest of Imamoglu has raised concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Turkey, with many questioning the motives behind his detention.
As supporters gather outside the municipality building, the situation remains tense and uncertain. The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor has shaken the political landscape of the city and has left many wondering what the future holds for Istanbul and its residents.
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Video “LIVE: Crowds gather outside Istanbul's municipality building” was uploaded on 03/19/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times