Hundreds detained as Erdogan calls Turkey protests ‘evil’

Over 1,000, including journalists, were detained as thousands of people gathered once again on Monday against arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu.

Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main rival, was detained on corruption charges.

Unrest had escalated on Sunday night, with protesters fired on with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Imamoglu said the allegations against him were politically motivated, a claim denied by Erdogan.

Turkish president went on to blame the opposition political parties for provoking a “movement of violence”, as protests in the country continue for a sixth night.

A larger number of Police personnel and protestors crossed paths at Istanbul’s city hall on Monday night.  Crowed chanted and waved Turkish flags.

Vehicles carrying water guns were also seen close by, though protests appeared to be largely peaceful with no repeat of the fierce clashes seen on Sunday.

According to Turkish government, 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests started.

Speaking from Ankara, Turkey’s capital, Erdogan called for the protests to end and said that “instead of responding to allegations”, opposition parties had “made the most vile and unlawful statements in our political history for [the last] five days”.

Meanwhile, Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) leader Özgür Özel while addressing the protestors in Monday night said that the demonstration was “an act of defiance against fascism”.

He announced to visit Imamoglu in jail in Silivri on Tuesday

Özel said the CHP would appeal for the politician to be released pending trial, and for his trial to be shown live on state broadcaster TRT.

Despite being in custody, Imamoglu was confirmed as CHP candidate for Turkey’s 2028 presidential election.

He spent Sunday night in jail after being formally arrested and charged earlier that day with “establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender”.