Thousands protest in Turkey as leading political rival of President Erdogan is jailed | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Ekrem Imamoglu: Istanbul's mayor, seen as Erdogan's main rival, jailed on corruption charges.
• President Erdogan: Turkey's leader, in power for 22 years.
• Demonstrations: Protests in Istanbul and other cities against Imamoglu's jailing and perceived erosion of democracy.
• Symbolic Vote: A nationwide vote organized by the opposition to show support for Imamoglu.
• Police Crackdown: Use of pepper spray, tear gas, water cannons, and arrests to disperse protesters.
• Terror and Corruption Charges: The official reasons given for Imamoglu's imprisonment.

Demonstrations and Protests:

• A large demonstration took place in Istanbul in support of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was jailed on corruption charges.
• The demonstration defied an extended ban on demonstrations.
• Emily Wither reported that police used pepper spray against young protesters near Istanbul's aqueduct.
• Protesters expressed concerns about President Erdogan's long rule (22 years) and its impact on democracy.
• Protesters chanted for justice outside Imamoglu's office, met with state force.
• The protests continued for five nights, with participants willing to face arrest to defend democracy.
• Demonstrations were violently broken up by police in Istanbul and Ankara, with tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, and arrests used.

Imamoglu's Imprisonment and Political Context:

• Ekrem Imamoglu is considered the most likely candidate to defeat President Erdogan in a general election.
• Imamoglu spent his first night in prison awaiting trial on terror and corruption charges.
• The government denies political motivation behind the investigations and claims the courts are independent.
• Many Turks have lost faith in the judicial system.

Symbolic Vote and Opposition Response:

• Millions of Turks participated in a symbolic vote to support Imamoglu.
• The opposition claims over 15 million Turks participated in the symbolic vote.
• The symbolic vote is seen as what President Erdogan feared most: an election against Imamoglu.

Notable Quotes:

• Protester: "We have right to vote, we have right to choose whoever we want to rule us but he is taking that right. We want democracy, we want people to choose the elected and we want the free will to choose who we want without them being imprisoned."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent rival to President Erdogan, has sparked widespread protests in Turkey. These demonstrations, met with police force, highlight concerns about the state of democracy and the independence of the judiciary. The opposition's symbolic vote, drawing millions of participants, demonstrates significant support for Imamoglu and underscores the political tensions within the country. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing protests and a deep divide in public opinion regarding the government's actions.