2025 Turkish protests
Protests against arrests of political figures From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Protests began throughout Turkey on 19 March 2025 following the detention and arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and more than 100 other opposition members and protesters by Turkish authorities. The gatherings represented significant public opposition to what participants characterized as politically motivated legal actions against İmamoğlu, who was the primary opposition candidate for the 2028 Turkish presidential election[36] and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's main political rival.
| 2025 Turkish protests | |||
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| Part of Third wave of autocratization, democratic backsliding in Turkey and Southeast Europe protests | |||
 Protestors in Saraçhane, Istanbul, 21 March 2025 | |||
| Date | 19 March 2025 – present (1 month, 2 weeks and 5 days) | ||
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| Status | Ongoing
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| Arrested | Hundreds of protesters[33][34] | ||
| Detained | ~2,000 protesters[35][needs update] | ||
The demonstrations have been supported by the CHP and many other political parties, organizations, and associations. Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting in almost all of Turkey's cities (especially in Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir), with the biggest crowd being in front of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's headquarters. University students are playing a major role in these protests.[37]
The protesters represent a broad ideological spectrum, including both right and left-wing individuals. In this context, symbols of the Republic—particularly Atatürk—are frequently used as a unifying framework and symbolic point of reference throughout the demonstrations.
The protests are occurring in the context of an economic crisis. The Turkish lira's value to the U.S. dollar fell by 16.3% in the three days following İmamoğlu's arrest.[38]
Background
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Perspective
Ekrem İmamoğlu, a 54-year-old politician from the Republican People's Party (CHP), had served as Mayor of Istanbul since 2019. İmamoğlu had achieved notable electoral victories against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's allies in both the 2019 and 2024 municipal elections, during which the CHP secured control of most major Turkish cities. These victories were widely interpreted as significant challenges to Erdogan's political dominance.[36]
In the months preceding his detention, İmamoğlu had intensified his criticism of the Erdogan administration, resulting in multiple legal actions against him. On 19 March 2025, Turkish authorities detained İmamoğlu on allegations that included corruption and providing assistance to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), an organization designated as terrorist by Turkey and its Western allies.[36][39] About 100 journalists and business figures, including his political advisor Murat Ongun, were also accused of alleged criminal activities connected to municipal contracts. Charges included leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, and manipulating tender processes. Istanbul University revoked İmamoğlu's academic degree, which would disqualify him from participating in future presidential elections if upheld.[39][40] The reason given was irregularities after transferring from a private university.[41][42]
Protests
Summarize
Perspective
19 March
CHP leader Özgür Özel characterized the detention as "a coup against our next president" and urged opposition groups to unify.[39] Within hours of the mayor's detention, a hundred demonstrators assembled near Istanbul's central police headquarters, where İmamoğlu had been transported. Protesters expressed support for the mayor while chanting anti-government and anti-Erdoğan slogans. Demonstrators characterized the detention as an attack on democratic processes and institutions, with some describing it as "a coup against İmamoğlu", emphasizing that İmamoğlu had "beat Erdoğan four times at the ballot box" through legitimate democratic processes. Protesters expressed their belief the detention would strengthen public support for İmamoğlu, with many anticipating the arrest and vowing to continue demonstrations until the decision was reversed. Municipal workers participated in the demonstrations.[36] Tens of thousands of protesters gathered around the municipal offices of Istanbul, with Özel urging them to continue support for İmamoğlu while referring to him as "future president of Turkey".[43] Dilek İmamoğlu, Ekrem İmamoğlu's wife, urged supporters to "raise their voices", stating that: "The day the government decides its opponents is the day democracy dies."[43][44]
The Istanbul Governor's Office responded by prohibiting public gatherings in the city, deploying security forces to establish barricades around the police facility. Riot police units and water cannon vehicles were positioned to block roads leading to the headquarters.[36] Despite this, thousands of protesters demonstrated outside city hall, with many shouting slogans such as "Imamoglu, you are not alone!" and "Erdogan, dictator!". Clashes between police and protesters were recorded by witnesses, including an instance of police using pepper spray on a crowd protesting outside Istanbul University.[44][45] Police barricaded and blocked roads that led to the Vatan Security Department, where İmamoğlu was detained.[46] Banners with Ekrem İmamoğlu's pictures and a quote by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: "Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation", were unfurled in front of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building.[37]
Hundreds of protesters in Ankara gathered around the headquarters of the CHP to protest along with CHP lawmakers. CHP representatives attempted to impede the legal proceedings in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, before marching out in protest.[47] Middle East Technical University (METU) students marched on campus demanding the resignation of the government. Afterwards many attempted to move to Kızılay, but were stopped by barricades and police on Eskişehir Road, who pepper sprayed them. Mayor of Ankara Mansur Yavaş stated that he would travel to Istanbul to provide support for İmamoğlu and the tens of thousands of protesters.[37] Significant demonstrations were reported in Adana, Trabzon, and İzmir.[48] In Dublin, Ireland, the group Democratic Türkiye Community in Ireland began demonstrations against İmamoğlu's arrest.[49]
20 March
Mass demonstrations broke out in several major Turkish cities. Significant protests were reported in Mamak (Ankara),[50] Ankara,[51] Bolu,[52] Şişli (Istanbul),[53] İzmir,[54] Samsun,[55] Manavgat (Antalya),[56] Ayvalık (Balıkesir),[57] Eskişehir,[58] Mersin,[59] Muğla,[60] Bursa,[61] Didim (Aydın),[62] Adana,[63] Denizli,[64] Trabzon, Antalya, Çorum, Konya, Sakarya, Amasya, Giresun,[65] Rize, Kırıkkale, and Karabük.[66] Students and faculty from 13 Turkish universities conducted demonstrations or protest marches, including those of Istanbul University. Police intervened against the protests of Mersin, Galatasaray, Dokuz Eylül, Ankara, and Kocaeli Universities, with pepper spray, barricades, and force. The nose of a protester was broken after it was kicked by a police officer, while others were detained.[67][68]
The Tandoğan campus of Ankara University was surrounded with police barricades, with several students being prohibited from entering while the rest required ID access to enter. Resistance from students inside the campus led to several prohibited students being able to enter, and protesters marching on campus against the government. Following the march, the students were prohibited from leaving the campus, with attempts to take down the barricades being met with pepper spray and beatings from police.[69] METU students started a protest march from Dormitory 5, shouting anti-government slogans. Students from Bilkent University and Hacettepe University joined the march by taking down police barricades at the METU A1 Gate. Despite the police using plastic bullets, pepper spray, and tear gas, the march continued.[70]
A mass demonstration took place outside the Embassy of Turkey in London, with members of the Workers' Party of Turkey and the Turkish Kurdish Community Solidarity Center unravelling banners protesting the restrictive acts of the Turkish government. In Germany, mass demonstrations conducted by the Turkish diaspora were reported in Berlin and Stuttgart, calling upon European states to enact greater action against the Turkish government crackdowns.[71]
Interior Minister of Turkey Ali Yerlikaya reported that over 18.6 million social media posts concerning the arrests of opposition figures appeared online by 6 a.m. on 20 March.[72]
21 March
Protests intensified in many cities including Istanbul, İzmir and Ankara,[73] while spreading to Konya, Niğde, Trabzon, and Adana.[74][75][5]
22 March
The continuation of İmamoğlu's detention further fueled anti-government mobilizations. The protests were driven by opposition parties, labor unions, civil rights groups, and other citizens, expressing their dissatisfaction with what they considered authoritarian actions by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government. These protests had been building, but 22 March marked their peak, with demonstrators demanding İmamoğlu's release and calling for an end to government measures they deemed undemocratic.[76]
Istanbul became the epicenter of large-scale protests, with gatherings erupting in districts such as Saraçhane, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, and Şişli. However, Taksim Square, a historically significant site, was blockaded by heavy police presence, preventing demonstrations there. Despite this, protesters in other areas carried banners and chanted slogans like "Susma, sustukça, sıra sana gelecek!" ("Don't stay quiet, the longer you do, it will be your turn!"), "Hükümet istifa!" ("Government, resign!"), and "Hak, hukuk, adalet!" ("Right, law, justice!"), while others participated by banging pots and pans from their balconies, reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi Park protests Riot police, reinforced by armored vehicles and TOMA water cannon trucks, took up defensive positions in the city.[77]
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, tensions escalated when security forces attempted to disperse the crowds, citing concerns over illegal gatherings and public disorder. The police response was forceful, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons against protesters who refused to leave. Violent clashes broke out in Bozdoğan Kemeri, where thousands had gathered in defiance of government warnings.[78] Many responded by throwing plastic bottles, chanting slogans, and waving opposition party flags, particularly those of the CHP.[79] In İzmir, videos circulated of police beating up protestors and detaining them while they shouted for help.[80]
Elsewhere in the country, demonstrations took place in Ankara, where crowds and CHP representatives attempted to march to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to demand justice.[81] Police barricaded major roads, preventing demonstrators from reaching the parliament building, which had been heavily fortified with additional riot units. In İzmir, thousands flooded Lozan Square to begin a march to Alsancak, disregarding the five-day demonstration ban set in place by the Governor of İzmir, waving Turkish flags and chanting pro-democracy slogans.[82]
As the protests intensified, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced that 343 individuals had been detained during overnight clashes. The ministry claimed security forces acted in accordance with public order laws, arguing some demonstrators engaged in "provocative and violent behavior". However, opposition leaders and human rights organizations accused the government of excessive force, noting many arrested were peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional right to free assembly.[83] Forty-one protesters were detained in Ankara's Güvenpark and in an "anti-terror" operation, while 31 others had arrest warrants issued. Of 22 student protesters detained, seven female students were forcibly strip-searched.[84]
The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that entering and leaving Istanbul was restricted, saying that "Individuals, groups and vehicles from the districts of our province or neighboring provinces, who are likely to join illegal actions individually or collectively by using the route of our province, will not be allowed to enter or leave our province".[85]
23 March
Large crowds gathered in central areas such as Kadıköy, chanting slogans like “Justice for all” and “This is not about a mayor; it's about democracy.” Protesters described the situation as an attack on electoral legitimacy and democratic governance.[86][87] Turkish police responded with tear gas and riot control tactics. Several protesters were reportedly injured during the crackdown, and some were detained.[86]
RTÜK's president Ebubekir Şahin, warned some TV channels on X that there could be penalties applicable up to broadcast suspension and license revocation,if they kept engaging in activities such as broadcasting against the law and calling the people to the streets.[88] This resulted in some channels ,such as Sözcü TV and Halk TV cutting their live broadcasts of rallies and protests at the Metropolitan Municipality building.[89] As a result, several millions tuned into livestreams of the protests broadcast from İmamoğlu's social media accounts and the CHP. The broadcast resulted in a record number of simultaneous viewers of the livestream, at 4 million.[90] After calls on social media to boycott brands associated with the AKP, as well as smaller businesses that refused to help protesters or sell to them, Özgür Özel threatened a boycott on media companies if they did not cover the protests.[91]
At 12:20 p.m. İmamoğlu was formally arrested following a court order.[92] The Istanbul Criminal Court mandated his detention pending trial on charges of corruption and alleged connections to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as terrorist by Turkey.[93] The terrorism charges were dropped as the court focused on corruption.[42] Despite misinformation,[94] this move means that a trustee cannot be appointed to Istanbul.[42] İmamoğlu denied the allegations, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated.[95] His legal team announced plans to appeal the court's decision, asserting that the charges are intended to suppress political dissent.[96] At 10:49 p.m. local time, after most of the votes from the primary election were counted, the CHP declared on X that their presidential candidate for the upcoming elections is Ekrem İmamoğlu.[97]
A protest was held in Valletta by Turkish residents in Malta.[98]
24 March
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya claimed that[99][100] some of the arrested protesters were identified as having ties with terrorist organizations, and others had criminal records.[101] Yerlikaya announced that 123 police officers were injured during the protests, with fireworks. He wrote, "Terrorizing our streets and threatening the peace and security of our nation will absolutely not be tolerated".[102] X stated that it is objecting to multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block over 700 anti-government accounts, including news organizations, journalists and politicians in Turkey.[101]
President Erdoğan, after speaking at a cabinet meeting in Ankara, said that the CHP is responsible for every property damage and harm to police officers. He also said that the protesters had turned into a "movement of violence".[103] The Turkish opposition called for a boycott of companies owned by holdings close to the government and TV channels that censored images of the mobilizations.[104][105][106]
Videos surfaced on social media was claimed that protesters climbing on top of the Şehzade Mosque and drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, others were seen urinating on the walls of the mosque and littering the courtyard.[107][108][unreliable source?][109][110] Vandals had desecrated the graveyard by breaking tombstones.[111][unreliable source?]
25 March
A judge ordered the pre-trial detention of seven journalists, including Agence France-Presse photographer Yasin Akgül, accused by the authorities of taking part in an illegal rally.[112][113] They were charged with "refusing to disperse despite warning during a demonstration".[114][115][116] Agence France Presse called for the photographer's release.[115] The court's decision was called “scandalous” by Reporters Without Borders, while Turkish Photojournalists Union called it “unlawful, unconscionable and unacceptable”.[117]
Protesters said they will continue protesting against the government despite arrests.[114] Yerlikaya said in a post on X: "No concessions will be made to those who attempt to terrorise the streets, to attack our national and moral values, and our police officers”.[117]
The local governorate extended the ban on gatherings in Ankara until 1 April.[118]
26 March
CHP leader Özgür Özel held a meeting with Ekrem İmamoğlu at Marmara Prison, located west of Istanbul. He described İmamoğlu and two other jailed politicians as “three lions inside, standing tall, with their heads held high … proud of themselves, their families, their colleagues, not afraid”. Afterwards Özel said he was planning to appoint an acting mayor in İmamoğlu’s place.[119] Istanbul's municipal council later elected Nuri Aslan, a CHP member who won 177 votes in the 314-member council.[120][121]
President Erdoğan continued speaking against the protests and labelled them as "street terror”. He said: “Those who spread terror in the streets and want to set fire to this country have nowhere to go. The path they have taken is a dead end”.[122] He also accused the opposition of harming the economy.[123][124][125]
27 March
The BBC said its correspondent, Mark Lowen, had been expelled from Turkey after being detained while covering the protests.[126] A court released Yasin Akgül and six other journalists who had been detained while covering the protests.[127] The RTUK imposed a 10-day broadcasting ban on Sözcü TV, accusing it of incitement in its coverage.[128][129]
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was detained on arrival in Turkey, where he was due to cover the protests. On 28 March, the editor-in-chief of his newspaper (Dagens ETC),[130] reported Medin had been taken into custody.[131] He has been jailed pending trial on charges of “insulting the president” and “membership in a terrorist organization,” according to Ankara's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. His arrest is linked to a 2023 protest in Stockholm, where a mannequin resembling Erdogan was hung outside city hall.[132][133] Press freedom organizations condemned the arrest. Reporters Without Borders Sweden called it "indefensible," while Amnesty Sweden warned it was a threat to freedom of expression. The Swedish Newspaper Publishers' Association urged the Swedish government to act "sharply and swiftly" for Medin's release, calling Turkey’s media restrictions alarming.[130]
1,879 people were detained and 260 people were arrested since the beginning of the protests.[129][134]
28 March
İmamoğlu's lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was detained.[135] Halk TV claimed his detainment was linked with allegations of "laundering assets originating from a crime".[136][137] He was released from detention under judicial supervision.[138] İmamoğlu tweeted: "As if the coup on democracy wasn't enough, they can't stand the victims of this coup defending themselves".[139]
Two more journalists covering the protests, Elif Bayburt, who works for the Etkin News Agency, and Nisa Suda Demirel, from the Evrensel news website, were detained, according to the Journalists union of Turkey.[140][141][142] The CHP's boycott website; 'boykotyap.com' was blocked by the Ankara 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace.[143]
29 March
A mass rally was organized by CHP in Maltepe, Istanbul. Ozgur Özel claimed 2.2 million people joined, newspapers put the figure in the hundreds of thousands.[144][145] A letter from İmamoğlu was read out at the rally:[146][147]
I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side. I have no fear because the nation is united. The nation is united against the oppressor. They can put me in jail and try me as much as they want, the nation has shown that it will crush all traps and plots.
On the same day, in an interview with France's Le Monde, Özel said he planned to make Saturday rallies a weekly feature in cities across Turkey, with others to be held in Istanbul every Wednesday.[148]
A protester wearing a Pikachu costume was chased by police in Antalya,[149] leading to the Pokémon mascot becoming a symbol of anti-Erdogan protests.[150] Since then, Pikachu posters and costumes have appeared at protests.[151] President Erdogan called the protests a "show" and warned CHP to stop "provoking" the Turks.[152]
30 March
Özgür Özel called people to boycott goods and services from companies perceived as close to president Erdoğan.[153]
1 April
Leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, a close ally of President Erdoğan, said that if protests continue, they could be counter-protested by government loyalists, raising the risk of nationwide clashes. He also accused the CHP of "using unrest to destabilize the government".[154] The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into those who made a "boycott call" on social media for incitement to hatred and hostility.[155]
3 April
Eleven people were detained for supporting the economic boycott, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu.[156]
6 April
Özgür Özel called for anticipated national elections to be held by November at the latest. Speaking at an extraordinary party congress in Ankara, Özel challenged Erdoğan to face the electorate, declaring the protests a powerful act of public dissent.[157][158]
9 April
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) approved the bill calling for the release of Ekrem İmamoğlu and other mayors with 90 votes in favor and eight against.[159][160]
10–11 April
On 11 April, Imamoglu appeared in court for the first time since his arrest, not for the corruption case, but in connection with three other legal proceedings: one for allegedly threatening remarks made in January against Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, Akin Gürlek, and two others concerning suspected irregularities in public procurement and donations during the municipal election campaign. The hearing, normally held at the Caglayan Courthouse, took place instead within the Silivri prison complex, which is closed to the public. The CHP accused the government of weaponizing the judiciary to prevent him from running in the 2028 presidential election. Meanwhile, police conducted aggressive raids on the homes of Imamoglu’s relatives, including that of his father, further heightening tensions. Shortly before the hearing, two investigative journalists, Murat Agirel and Timur Soykan, who had reported on alleged irregularities in the investigations targeting Imamoglu, were also arrested, while 107 students detained during the protests were released.[161][162]
After some teachers in the well-established high schools in Istanbul were suspended for participating in the protests or oppose the government, protests were held in some high schools.[163][164]
18 April
The trial of nearly 200 people arrested in the protests began. Most of the 189 defendants in the trial, which was held at the Caglayan courthouse, were students, while eight were journalists.[165]
30 April
Joakim Medin was convicted by a court in Ankara on charges of insulting President Erdoğan and sentenced to a suspended 11-month prison term. He remains detained at Marmara Prison pending a verdict on his terrorism case.[166]
Reactions
Summarize
Perspective
İmamoğlu, previously anticipated to run for president in 2028, was nominated by the CHP as its presidential candidate on March 23, despite his imprisonment and the annulment of his university degree, which would technically disqualify him from the race.[167] The protests are perceived as a response to the perceived injustice of incarcerating a democratically elected mayor who has been characterized as a "man of the people," reflecting broader concerns about democratic backsliding in Turkey.[167]
Despite his detention, İmamoğlu managed to post a social media statement in defiance, stating that he would "not give up" and would "continue standing up against the pressure" as a significant opposition figure against the current Turkish administration.[36]
Some politicians from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) and Kurdish voters worry that the arrest could stymie the chances of the effort to end the Kurdish-Turkish conflict. DEM deputy leader Ebru Gunay said "What happened in Istanbul showed once again that this country needs a real democracy".[168] However, recent talks between the PKK and the government suggest that Dem Party has been hesitant to fully back the opposition. While Imamoglu’s supporters gathered in protest near Istanbul, many Kurdish and Dem Party members instead participated in their Nowruz celebrations in the city, not confronting with the government.[169]
Turkey
Turkish government
Following Imamoglu's detention and during subsequent protests, the Istanbul Governor's Office prohibited all public gatherings and demonstrations throughout the city for a four-day period. The office also closed major roads and rail networks located in central Istanbul.[40] Access to various social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok was restricted, according to reports from internet monitoring organizations.[39][40]
The Turkish government denied allegations from protesters and opposition parties, maintaining that the judiciary operated independently from political influence. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that “courts held those accountable who committed treason against the national will and will do so in the future,” adding that the judiciary would also act against those attempting to sabotage the Turkish economy and the well-being of the nation.[167] When specifically questioned about claims that the detention was politically motivated, representatives from President Erdogan's office did not provide immediate comments.[39] Days later, Erdogan spoke in favor of judicial independence and said the protests were a "disruption of public order".[42]
Subway lines and bus transportation were shut down in Ankara's Middle East Technical University Station during student protests.[170]
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç defended the judiciary against accusations of political interference, stating that the decision to arrest İmamoğlu was not influenced by President Erdoğan and reaffirming the independence of the courts.[167]
Opposition response
The Republican People's Party (CHP) criticized the charges against İmamoğlu as politically motivated, stating that the government aims to prevent him from running in the upcoming presidential elections.[167]
CHP leader Özgür Özel not only encouraged nationwide protests but also called for boycotts of products and services linked to companies perceived to be close to the ruling AK Party, a move President Erdoğan denounced as economic sabotage.[167]
On 2 April, Özel supported grassroots calls for a one-day shopping boycott. In a social media post, he wrote, “We all saw what state the junta alliance against us fell into in panic. Those who could not go out for years had to go out in a hurry and see the state of the poor nation.”[167]
Speaking to protestors in Istanbul, Özel stated, “They’ve detained hundreds of our children, thousands of our youths. They only had one goal in mind: to intimidate them … make sure they never go out again.”[167]
Dilek İmamoğlu, the mayor’s wife, stated in a podcast that her husband’s arrest was due to his repeated electoral success, claiming, “The real reason Ekrem İmamoğlu is in custody … [is] because he’s already managed to thrash his opponents at the ballot box four different times.”[167]
International
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The detention of İmamoğlu and the ensuing protests attracted international attention, with various governments and human rights organizations expressing concern about democratic backsliding in Turkey.[36] Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for Europe Dinushika Dissanayake described the Turkish government actions as "draconian" and an escalated "crackdown on peaceful dissent" to limit freedom of assembly and speech.[40]
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that Turkey would need to maintain its democratic values to avoid potentially losing its European Union candidate country status, stating that the EU wished to stay closely tied to Turkey.[46] A joint statement released by the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Marta Kos remarked that the European Union held Turkey to a higher standard in implementing democratic values due to its candidate status and Council of Europe membership.[171]
Despite public statements of concern, EU officials acknowledged that Ankara's strategic importance in areas such as migration, energy, and defense makes a strong diplomatic or financial backlash unlikely.[172] EU accession funds and other financial mechanisms continue to benefit Turkey. The country has received around €9 billion to host refugees and remains eligible for billions more under defense-related programs like "Readiness 2030", allowing access to joint procurements worth up to €800 billion.[172]
Two anonymous EU officials admitted recent developments in Turkey "go against the very logic of EU accession," referencing the detention of over 1,000 people including journalists since the protests began. However, no concrete action has been taken due to Turkey’s critical geopolitical role.[172]
Greece and Cyprus have reportedly pushed for restrictions on Turkey’s access to EU defense funds following İmamoğlu’s arrest, amid broader concerns over rule of law and ongoing regional tensions.[173]
Political analyst Dimitar Bechev commented that “whatever Erdoğan does, the EU will have to tag along with it,” suggesting that the EU tolerates democratic backsliding so long as Turkey remains strategically cooperative.[172]
Social media crackdown
Summarize
Perspective
In response to the widespread protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Turkish government intensified its control over social media platforms.[174] Interior Minister of Turkey Ali Yerlikaya announced on the morning of 20 March that law enforcement had identified 261 "suspect account managers" who allegedly shared content "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" and "incitement to commit a crime." Authorities detained thirty-seven individuals in connection with these allegations, with efforts continuing to apprehend additional suspects.[72]
Despite the platform's refusal statements,[175][176][177][178] X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, complied with government orders to suspend approximately 700 accounts, including those of journalists, activists, and opposition figures. The majority of which were "university-associated activist accounts, basically sharing protest information, locations for students to go," according to Yusuf Can, coordinator and analyst at the Wilson Center's Middle East Program, who also noted that many of them are "grassroots activists" with their followings in the low tens of thousands.[179][180] This action drew significant criticism from free speech advocates, who accused Musk of a double standard, given his self-proclaimed stance as a "free speech absolutist."[174]
Companies such as Twitter[181][182] and Meta[183] censored social media posts related to the protests at the government's request.
Arrests
Nearly 2,000 people[184] have been arrested since the protests began, including several journalists.[185][125]
Impact on economy
Summarize
Perspective
Following Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest, the Turkish lira dropped by 12.7%, reaching a record low of 42 lira per US dollar.[186][187][188] While the lira has since settled around 38 to the dollar, foreign investors remain cautious. In response to the turmoil, approximately $16 billion was pulled from Turkish markets, significantly impacting the country’s foreign reserves, which had previously been rebuilt to $65 billion.[189] Meanwhile, the BIST 100 index of the Istanbul Stock Exchange plunged by 8.72%, falling from 10,802 to 9,860 points.[190][191][192] In response, the Turkish Central Bank sold $25 billion in foreign currency in an attempt to stabilize the national currency.[193][194][195] This massive intervention also led to an increase in interest rates and an upward revision of inflation forecasts, with an estimated 29.75% by the end of the year.[196] These events have shaken foreign investors' confidence, undermining Economy Minister Mehmet Şimşek’s efforts to restore the country’s economic stability.[197][198][199]
The protest also has caused several cancellation or postponement to some scheduled concerts in Istanbul. English rock band Muse postponed its scheduled gig in Istanbul to 2026 due to pressure from the anti-government protesters not to perform, after the concert promoter, Abdulkadir Ozkan, made controversial remarks regarding the protests. Norwegian singer Ane Brun also cancelled her scheduled gig in Istanbul.[200]
See also
- Anti-Erdoğanism
- Gezi Park protests
- 2021 Boğaziçi University protests
- 2028 Turkish presidential election
- 2025 in Turkey
- List of arrested mayors in Turkey
- List of protests in the 21st century
2025 protests
References
External links
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