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Thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul to show their support for their imprisoned mayor and called for his release.

The Republic People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition party, organized the protest as part of a series of demonstrations that have led to numerous arrests and intensified pressure on the nation’s long-time leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, a significant political opponent to Erdogan, was apprehended on 19 March on charges of corruption and terrorism, which many view as politically motivated.

The government maintains that the judiciary is impartial and operates free from political influence.

His custody, and subsequent arrest on corruption charges on 23 March, ignited nationwide protests, despite assembly bans, police crackdowns, and legal proceedings by authorities.

“They’ve arrested hundreds of our children, thousands of our youths…detained hundreds of them,” CHP leader Özgür Özel reminded the protesters.

“Their only intention was to intimidate them, terrorize them, make sure they never ventured out again.”

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya disclosed that nearly 1,900 individuals had been arrested since 19 March, while pro-government media reported on Friday that public prosecutors had requested up to three years imprisonment for 74 of the detainees.

Police maintained their distance during Saturday’s rally and no new arrests were reported.

Özel called for the immediate release of İmamoğlu, in addition to other political prisoners, such as Selahattin Demirtaş, a former presidential candidate and founder of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM).

“In the Turkey we envision, presidential candidates will not be imprisoned,” Özel added.

Last Sunday, soon after his formal arrest, İmamoğlu triumphed in a symbolic primary as the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election, a contest likely to occur sooner.

Özel mentioned they will begin collecting signatures for İmamoğlu’s release and also campaign for an early election.