The Turkish government has criticized the opposition’s main leader to take to the streets to protest against what is said to be the undemocratic arrest of Istanbul mayor, Ekem Imamus, as thousands of people across the country.
President Erdoğan’s main political rival, Imamuglu, was admitted on Wednesday and faced accusations of contracts and assistance to a terrorist group in a move condemned by the opposition of a “coup attempt. He has led to demonstrations at home and criticism from European leaders.
On Thursday, some protesters clashed with police in Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul, including universities and many meetings at the municipal headquarters in Istanbul despite a four-day ban on meetings. Scattered protests took place across the country, when the authorities built barriers that blocked several streets.
At a rally at a rally at the Istanbul mayoral building, Özil responded to Erdogan’s response to Erdogan—which rejected the opposition’s criticism of “shookers” and “rotation” – which says Turks will not stay at home.
“Hey Erdogan, you are the most feared on the streets. We are now on the streets, in the squares. They continue to be afraid,” Ozil said.
“While the person we have chosen in his detention, do not sit at home,” he said.
“Mr. Taib, you are afraid and ask, ‘Do you contact people to the streets? Do you call people to the squares?’ Yes, I didn’t fill this square and these streets, and you did.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerikaya and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunk criticized Ozil’s call, saying it was “irresponsible.
“The gathering and marches are fundamental to protest. But the summoning of the streets on a continuous legal investigation is illegal and unacceptable,” Tunk said after midnight on Thursday.
Tunk said the response to any process or legal decision must be made in the courtroom and demand peace, adding that “independent and impartial justice” will evaluate the case.
The move comes as the mayor of the two famous mayors, Imamğlu, comes as the CHP was supposed to be its presidential candidate on Sunday, and has been suppressing several months to crack down on opposition figures who have been criticized as a political attempt to hurt their elections. The government rejects this.
After the arrest of Imamunglu, his supporters had called for more concrete actions in Ozil and the CHP. Ozil told Reuters on Thursday he would show the CHP, but without disrupting the general order.
He swore to resist any possible attempt by the authorities to remove him and CHP officials from municipal headquarters, where they remained after the arrest of Imamğlu, he said any appointment of the secretary of the government will be unjust and will resist.
If the designated government can replace Imamusglu if legally arrested as part of the investigation that will help help the PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies.
The arrest came a day after the abolition of the Istanbul University’s degree, which would prevent him from running for the presidency if implemented.
The upcoming presidential election will be held in 2028, but Erdogan has reached his two terms as president after he previously worked as prime minister. If he wants to run again, early elections or the constitution must change.
(Report by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Montage by Kim Coghill)