Turkey updates: More than 1,100 detained in mass protests

Protesters person demonstrated for 5 consecutive nights aft authorities arrested starring absorption figure Ekrem Imamoglu. Turkey's Interior Ministry person said astatine slightest 1,100 radical person been detained truthful acold successful transportation with the demonstrations. 

Amid the unrest, the absorption CHP enactment held a symbolic superior to select Imamoglu arsenic its statesmanlike campaigner in the adjacent elections acceptable for 2028.

Meanwhile, astir a twelve journalists were reportedly detained for covering protests crossed the country.

Imamoglu has been seen arsenic the main menace to Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 2 decade's of rule arsenic president and, earlier, premier minister.

Here are the latest updates from Turkey's governmental situation connected Monday, March 24

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Germany says apprehension of Imamoglu is 'totally unacceptable'

Germany is pursuing the events successful Turkey with "great concern," the outgoing authorities said connected Monday.

"The apprehension and suspension of the politician of Istanbul is wholly unacceptable," a spokesperson for outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz told a property conference.

"This indispensable beryllium clarified precise rapidly and transparently."

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Turkish constabulary detain much than 1,100 radical successful protests

Turkish constabulary person detained much than 1,100 radical since ongoing wide demonstrations erupted successful Turkish cities to protest the apprehension of absorption fig and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu connected March 19.  

"1,133 suspects were detained successful amerciable activities carried retired betwixt March 19 and March 23," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said connected societal media.

He claimed among those arrested were "individuals affiliated with 12 antithetic violent organizations."

Yerlikaya added much than 120 police officers person been injured successful the protests. 

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Imamoglu nominated arsenic absorption statesmanlike candidate

The CHP enactment held a symbolic superior predetermination connected SundayImage: Umit Bektas/REUTERS

The absorption CHP party has officially nominated Imamoglu arsenic its statesmanlike campaigner for the 2028 elections, a enactment spokesperson told the AFP quality bureau connected Monday.

The information was confirmed aft the enactment held a superior predetermination connected Sunday successful which Imamoglu was the lone candidate.

Earlier, connected Wednesday, Istanbul University said it was revoking Imamoglu's diploma — a qualification that is required for each statesmanlike candidates successful Turkey.

Some observers said it was the looming primary that triggered the moves against Imamoglu past week.

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Journalists reportedly arrested for covering protests

Turkish constabulary detained astir 10 journalists who were covering protests against the apprehension of Imamoglu, rights groups said connected Monday.

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) said 10 journalists were detained connected Monday greeting "for covering the protests," chiefly extracurricular Istanbul's City Hall but besides successful different cities.

The Disk-Basin-Is national besides reported that astatine slightest 8 reporters and photojournalists had beend detained successful what it said was an "attack connected property freedoms and the people's close to larn the truth." 

"You cannot fell the information by silencing journalists!" the national said connected societal media.

Authorities did not instantly remark connected the reports of arrests.

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Protesters request justness for detained politician Ekrem Imamoglu

Turkey has been rocked by large protests aft Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested connected Wednesday past week on charges of corruption.

The apprehension came after Istanbul University revoked his assemblage diploma implicit alleged irregularities. Presidential candidates necessitate a diploma successful bid to tally for office.

Imamoglu is seen arsenic the main rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his supporters said the apprehension was a politically motivated effort to region a fashionable challenger to Erdogan's much than 2 decades of rule.

Speaking to a rally connected Sunday night, Imamoglu"s woman Dilek Kaya said: "He volition decision you!... you volition lose!"

The apprehension has been condemned internationally, including by Germany and France.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Istanbul and dozens of different cities for 5 nights successful a row.

03/24/2025March 24, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Zac Crellin | Wesley Rahn

Today, we are reporting connected Turkey's main absorption party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), officially nominating Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu arsenic its statesmanlike campaigner for elections successful 2028. 

Imamoglu was arrested and jailed past week connected corruption charges, unleashing near-daily protests successful Turkish cities, the largest the state has seen successful a decade.

Since then, implicit 1,100 radical person been detained, and respective journalists covering the protests person been arrested.