From Staff Writer
Turkey’s ongoing crackdown against anti-government protests has seen the detention of seven journalists, including an AFP photographer, as civil unrest intensifies across the country. This follows a sixth consecutive day of protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption charges.
Imamoglu, a prominent rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was taken into custody last week, prompting widespread protests in cities across Turkey. The government has since arrested over 1,400 people as part of its efforts to suppress dissent.
Among those detained in the latest wave were AFP photographer Yasin Akgul and other journalists, who have been charged with “participating in illegal rallies and marches.” AFP has strongly refuted the claim, asserting that Akgul was merely covering the protests as part of his journalistic duties. The news agency has demanded his immediate release, with CEO Fabrice Fries condemning the arrest as “unacceptable” and calling for swift intervention from Turkish authorities.
Despite the growing crackdown, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul’s Sisli district on Tuesday, marching toward the local municipal building and calling for the resignation of President Erdogan. The protest was marked by chants of “Tayyip resign!” as residents from nearby apartments joined in, banging pots and pans in solidarity.
In response, President Erdogan has downplayed the protests, accusing the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) of inciting unrest. Speaking during a Ramadan meal with young people, Erdogan dismissed the protests as a “show” that would soon fizzle out, warning that the opposition’s actions would “hit a dead end.”
The government has defended Imamoglu’s arrest, insisting that Turkey’s judiciary is independent and that the legal proceedings against him are not politically motivated. However, opposition leaders, including CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, have strongly condemned the move.
Ozel visited Imamoglu at Silivri prison on Tuesday, expressing his dismay at the state of affairs in Turkey and vowing that the CHP would appoint an acting mayor to replace Imamoglu in Istanbul.
Ozel also called for a large demonstration on Saturday in Istanbul’s Maltepe district to rally against Imamoglu’s arrest and demand early elections. He urged the Turkish people to unite for a “big rally” to demand an end to what he called an unjust regime, calling for open and transparent trials for those imprisoned.
As tensions rise, the Turkish government continues its efforts to stifle opposition voices, but the growing protests signal that dissent is far from quelled. With more mass demonstrations expected in the coming days, the political future of Turkey remains uncertain.
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