France TV 24 channel Hundreds of thousands march in support of arrested Istanbul mayor, defy Erdoğan MIDDLE EAST Istanbul (AFP) – Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in Istanbul on Friday to support Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s main political rival who was detained just days before he was officially nominated as a candidate in Türkiye’s 2028 presidential election on Wednesday. The protesters marched despite warnings from authorities that they would crack down on “street terror”. Published: 21/03/2025 - 12:53 Modified: 21/03/2025 - 18:48 4 min Author: FRANCE 24 Follow FRANCE 24 You must enable ad tracking and audience measurement to view this content on YouTube. Accept Manage my choices A man holds a Turkish flag as people clash with police during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Friday, March 21, 2025. 04:18 Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Istanbul on Friday night to protest the arrest of the city's opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's warning that Türkiye will not tolerate "street terrorism." The demonstrators were seen rallying for the third night in a row in the biggest street protests in Türkiye in more than a decade against the arrest of İmamoğlu, Erdoğan's biggest political rival. Opposition leader Özgür Özel, who is the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), which called for the nationwide protests, told a large crowd gathered in front of Istanbul City Hall that "300,000 people" had joined the demonstration. "This is not a CHP rally, people here are from all parties and to show solidarity with Mayor İmamoğlu and to stand up for democracy," he told the large crowd, who ended his speech with cheers and applause. "He is trying to use the judiciary as a weapon to twist İmamoğlu's arm and take over this building. But we will not hand him over to a government-appointed trustee!" he shouted. As he spoke, clashes broke out on the fringes of the protests, with riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets, according to two AFP reporters, both of whom were shot in the leg. Clashes also broke out in Ankara and the western coastal city of İzmir, where police fired water cannons and tear gas at protesters, according to an AFP reporter and opposition TV. Demonstrators in Istanbul chanted the slogan "Don't stay silent, the people are here!" and "Law, rights, justice" as the crowd gathered at sunset, waving signs reading "Don't be afraid, the people are here!" "We were not forced to take to the streets. We are here because of Erdoğan," Necla, 56, who wears a headscarf, told AFP. "I don't believe the allegations against İmamoğlu. There is no man as honest as him," she said. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is a popular opposition politician who has long been seen as the only person capable of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's long-term rule Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is a popular opposition politician who has long been seen as the only person capable of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's long-term rule © Ozan Köse, AFP file Street protests are a 'dead end' The arrest comes just days before İmamoğlu is announced as the CHP's official candidate in the 2028 presidential race. The protests quickly spread from Istanbul to at least 40 of Türkiye's 81 provinces, according to an AFP count. As the CHP's Ozel urged people across the country to stand up, Erodogan said: "Turkey will not surrender to street terror. "Let me say it loud and clear: the street protests that the CHP leader has called for are a dead end," he added. He accused the opposition leader of "grave irresponsibility", raising concern that he too could face legal sanction. On Friday, the authorities extended a protest ban to Ankara and Izmir. Ahead of the Istanbul rally, they blocked off the main access routes to City Hall, including Galata Bridge and Ataturk Bridge. On Thursday, police fired rubber bullets and teargas at prosecutors in Istanbul and Ankara, where at least 88 prosecutors were arrested, Turkish media said. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 16 police officers had been hurt. Police detained 54 people for online posts authorities deemed "incitement to hatred". Prosecutors say they are investigating Imamoglu for "aiding a terrorist organization" -- the banned Kurdish PKK militant group. himself and about They say they are investigating 100 other suspects for corruption. A Turkish riot police officer fired tear gas canisters at students protesting in Ankara on Thursday A Turkish riot police officer fired tear gas canisters at students protesting in Ankara on Thursday © Adem Altan, AFP Forex, stock market, coup The move against İmamoğlu dealt a heavy blow to the Turkish lira, with the BIST 100 stock market trading lower on Friday, down nearly eight percent just before 14:00 GMT. İma