Turkey has escalated its crackdown on anti-government protests following the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. In a swift move, authorities arrested his lawyer, detained journalists, and targeted demonstrators amid growing unrest. The crackdown has sparked international criticism, with rights groups and foreign leaders condemning Ankara’s actions. The arrests, mass detentions, and media restrictions mark Turkey’s most significant wave of political repression in years.
Targeting Opposition and Restricting Freedoms
Nine days after Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest, protests continued despite rising fears of government retaliation. On Friday, authorities detained Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, on allegations of “laundering assets originating from a crime.” He was later released under a travel ban. The Istanbul Bar Association also reported that 20 minors had been arrested between March 22-25 for violating protest bans, with seven still in custody.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strongest political rival, denounced the government’s actions. In a statement posted on X, he accused officials of suppressing democracy and silencing his defense. “As if the coup against democracy was not enough, they cannot tolerate the victims defending themselves,” he wrote, demanding Pehlivan’s release.
Turkey’s harsh response to the protests has drawn international criticism. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over Ankara’s suppression of dissent, while French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Turkey’s “systematic attacks” on opposition figures and freedom of assembly.
Crackdown on Media and Press Freedom
Authorities have also intensified their repression of journalists covering the protests. On Friday, police conducted dawn raids, detaining two Turkish women journalists who had reported on demonstrations in Istanbul’s Sarachane district. The Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS) condemned the arrests, urging officials to stop targeting the press.
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin was also arrested upon arrival in Turkey to cover the unrest. Accused of “insulting the president” and alleged ties to a “terrorist organization,” he was jailed pending investigation. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard called his detention a serious matter, while Medin’s editor insisted the accusations were baseless.
Meanwhile, BBC journalist Mark Lowen was detained for 17 hours before being deported, with Turkish authorities citing a “lack of accreditation.” Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog RTUK also imposed a 10-day ban on opposition news channel Sozcu, further restricting independent reporting.
Amid the government’s tightening grip, young protesters in Istanbul voiced their fears. “We’re here for our rights, but I’m scared,” said 21-year-old Raftel. Another demonstrator, 25-year-old Baturalp Akalin, stated, “Young people are on the streets to defend our country’s democratic rights.”
Since March 19, more than 1,879 people have been detained, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The mounting arrests and press restrictions underscore a deepening political crisis in Turkey, with Erdogan’s government intensifying efforts to silence dissent.
