Turkish Opposition Announces Protests in Regions

The opposition in Turkey is set to hold rallies every Saturday and Sunday in one of the 81 provinces, and every Wednesday in Istanbul. This announcement was made by the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, after a defense rally for the detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

“Today, 2.2 million people have come to Maltepe Square in Istanbul. I want to thank all our citizens who have filled the squares to defend justice. This is just the beginning. Now we will go out to the squares in one of the provinces every Saturday and Sunday and every Wednesday in one of the neighborhoods of Istanbul,” Özel was quoted by Halk TV.

Following İmamoğlu's arrest on March 19 on charges of corruption and ties to terrorists, a wave of protests erupted across Turkey. According to Turkey's Interior Ministry, at least 1,800 people have been detained, with 260 currently in custody. The largest protests have taken place in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, often ending in clashes with the police.