Clashes Erupt Outside Istanbul Courthouse as Supporters Rally for Mayor Imamoglu
Supporters of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, clash with police outside a courthouse as he faces new legal challenges.
Police in Turkey fired tear gas to disperse protesters outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday, as thousands gathered in support of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, a key figure in Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), was summoned to testify in two legal probes against him.
The investigations relate to comments he made about a chief prosecutor and a court expert.
Imamoglu’s supporters argue that the charges are politically motivated and aim to remove him from the political scene.
Imamoglu, who has already been convicted of insulting members of Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council in 2022, also faces charges related to the alleged rigging of bids in a 2015 tender.
The legal actions come as Imamoglu continues to challenge the dominance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party.
Tensions rose during Friday's protests when riot police blocked a CHP bus from reaching the courthouse, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators.
Imamoglu later addressed supporters, calling the situation a conspiracy against Istanbul.
Imamoglu, 53, first became mayor in 2019, defeating Erdogan's party in a historic upset, and was reelected last year.
His victory in Istanbul, a city of 16 million people, marked a significant blow to the ruling Justice and Development Party, which had controlled the city for 25 years.
Imamoglu, a key figure in Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), was summoned to testify in two legal probes against him.
The investigations relate to comments he made about a chief prosecutor and a court expert.
Imamoglu’s supporters argue that the charges are politically motivated and aim to remove him from the political scene.
Imamoglu, who has already been convicted of insulting members of Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council in 2022, also faces charges related to the alleged rigging of bids in a 2015 tender.
The legal actions come as Imamoglu continues to challenge the dominance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party.
Tensions rose during Friday's protests when riot police blocked a CHP bus from reaching the courthouse, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators.
Imamoglu later addressed supporters, calling the situation a conspiracy against Istanbul.
Imamoglu, 53, first became mayor in 2019, defeating Erdogan's party in a historic upset, and was reelected last year.
His victory in Istanbul, a city of 16 million people, marked a significant blow to the ruling Justice and Development Party, which had controlled the city for 25 years.
