Protests spread in Türkiye, more than 1,100 people arrested

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed on March 24 that the massive protests in the country in recent days have become a "violent movement".

Türkiye's president says opposition parties will be held responsible for cases where protesters vandalize property and injure police

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against the government after Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 on corruption charges and will face trial. Turkey's interior minister said some protesters were threatening national security. He added that more than 1,100 people had been arrested in six days and about 120 police officers were injured, AFP reported.

Police used tear gas on protesters in Istanbul, Türkiye on March 24.

Imamoglu's arrest has caused a stir in the country, especially as observers believe that the Istanbul mayor, who belongs to the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), could pose a challenge to Erdogan's camp in Turkey's presidential election. The CHP held its primary election on March 23 and later announced that Imamoglu had been officially nominated as its presidential candidate for the 2028 race. The party said the charges against Imamoglu were politically motivated, which President Erdogan's government denied. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called for continued protests, while President Erdogan warned the CHP to stop inciting people.

The arrest has created concerns among investors in Turkey. The country's stocks and currency have plummeted in recent days, forcing the central bank to intervene to stabilize the market. President Erdogan reassured investors and affirmed that relevant agencies are closely coordinating to stabilize macro-finance. According to Reuters, economists believe that Turkey's economic outlook may be affected by Erdogan's political decisions.

Political developments in Türkiye also affect Ankara's relations with the European Union (EU). The meeting of the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee was postponed on March 24, after the EU said the current situation was not favorable for holding the session. European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier issued a statement stating: "The arrest of Mayor Imamoglu and the protesters raises questions about Türkiye's adherence to its long-standing democratic traditions."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bieu-tinh-lan-rong-o-tho-nhi-ky-hon-1100-nguoi-bi-bat-185250325223515347.htm