CHP says protests continue until the closed mayor is released

Turkey's main opposition party head told the BBC that the protests would continue “in every city” until the early presidential election was called, or the prison of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was released from prison.

Ozgur Ezel, chairman of the Mayor's Republican People's Party (CHP), said national protests will include a very large demonstration this Saturday in Istanbul. This will open the party's campaign to make the next Imamoglu president in the next election president to come in 2028, he said.

“In every city we go to, we will have the biggest rallies in their history,” said Zelell.

“Faith in Ekrem Imamoglu and in democracy will make the protests more big and stronger,” he said at his headquarters of the party in Istanbul, as visitors, employees and councilors went and exit.

The opposition brought huge crowds on the streets – the largest here, watched here for more than a decade – since Imamoglu was arrested seven days ago.

Along with the mass demonstrations, there are mass arrests – more than 1,400 people and counting, including seven Turkish journalists reporting protests.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has very strong supporters, has condemned demonstrations as “street terrorism” and accused protesters of attacking police and damaging public property.

He said the “show” of the opposition would eventually fade.

Ezel spoke to the BBC Fresh from visiting Silivri prison, high security campus on the outskirts of Istanbul, where Imamoglu takes place.

“He is in solitude, but he is in good condition and has not been abused so far,” he told us.

Ezel said that the corruption case against Istanbul mayor was “a fraud designed to discredit it.”

As an example, he stated the claim that Imamoglu bought land cheap years ago, and the low purchase price may have been a bribe. “The truth was that the small payment was just the deposit for the land,” he said.

Imamoglu denies all the accusations against him, including “creating a criminal organization, bribery, extortion and forgery of a public auction.”

He says his arrest was a coup. Turkish officials claim that the courts here are independent. Human rights organizations strongly challenge this.

Ezel said that Imamoglu was arrested for a simple reason – to prevent him from becoming Turkey's next president. Public opinion polls suggest that the mayor may be able to do this – if he is not behind bars.

“Erdogan threw a three -time winner in the prison election … in front of the whole world,” Lieuzel said.

“Suddenly, he closed someone who struggles against him in a normal political way. It's like your rival who comes and cuts the ball in a football game because you win.”

The opposition party believes that the response of Turkish society and the international community will be key to deciding whether Imamoglu remains behind bars.

But Ezel said CHP was “abandoned” by the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keyer Starmer and his party.

“While all of Europe reacts, the English Labor Party and Starmer have said nothing. The steal of democracy – England – and our fraternal party, the Labor Party, how can they remain silent? We are really hurt.”

A few hours before this comment on Tuesday, the Starmer spokesman said there was a “continued internal Turkish legal process” and the United Kingdom “expects Turkey to maintain the rule of law”.

If the mayor is not released, CHP plans to continue to fight for the Presidency.

“If they hold Ekrem Imamoglu locked and interferes with his application,” said Zelell, “Each CHP member can be a candidate and will be selected by 65% ​​to 70%.”