Turkish authorities have arrested nine journalists who covered overnight protests against the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the Journalists Union of Turkey announced on Monday.

No Clear Explanation for Arrests

So far, officials have not explained why they detained the journalists. Their arrests came shortly after nationwide protests erupted in response to a court’s decision to jail Imamoglu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on corruption charges.

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Imamoglu’s Arrest Sparks Widespread Protests

On Sunday, a Turkish court sent Imamoglu to jail while he awaits trial. As a result, Turkey witnessed its largest protests in more than a decade. Even though authorities banned public gatherings in many cities, demonstrators took to the streets for the fifth consecutive night on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has strongly criticized the court’s decision, calling it unfair and politically motivated. They argue that the ruling targets Erdogan’s most prominent opponent ahead of the upcoming elections.

Government Rejects Political Interference Claims

Despite the opposition’s allegations, the government insists that the judiciary remains independent. Officials deny any political motivation behind the charges. However, Imamoglu has dismissed the allegations as “unimaginable accusations and slanders.” He has also urged citizens to continue protesting against what he sees as an attack on democracy.

Opposition Vows to Keep Protesting

Speaking to a large crowd in Istanbul’s Sarachane district, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel made it clear that the protests will continue. “We will continue until Imamoglu is released,” he declared.

Furthermore, the Journalists Union of Turkey reported that one of the detained journalists is an Agence France Presse (AFP) photographer.

For now, tensions remain high as both the government and the opposition stand firm, leaving the country in a state of political uncertainty.