The Turkish president talks about “a handful of Chp robbers” while protesters are becoming more and more
The Turkish opposition called on Friday the citizens to participate in a “night of democracy”, in its large concentration to which thousands of people, mainly young people, were heading early to denounce the arrest of Mayor Constantinople Ekrem Iimoglou.
The leader of the opposition party in Turkey, the CHP, assured that 300,000 protesters had gathered in Constantinople tonight, as soon as Ramadan fasting ended to support the mayor.
The event takes place despite the warnings of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said he would not retreat against “road terrorism”.
For the third consecutive day on Friday, protesters flock outside the City Hall of Constantinople, responding to the CP’s call.
“Don’t be silent, otherwise your turn will come soon,” the protesters shouted. Some were holding placards with slogans such as “don’t be afraid, the people are here” and “law, law, justice”.
BREAKING:
Tens of thousands have taken to streets in Istanbul tonight to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and Turkey’s main opposition leader Ekrem Imamoğlu– Visegrád 24 (@Visegrad24) March 21, 2025
The mayor, who is accused of “corruption and terrorism”, was due to receive the Chp anointing to be his candidate in the next presidential election. “Wherever you are, get out of the house, join with all you can and walk together,” Ezel called his supporters.
Two bridges and many large roads leading to the Town Hall were closed for 24 hours.
Mobilizations are organized into more than 45 cities across the country, such as in Izmir and the capital Ankara.
Erdogan: “Turkey will not surrender to the horror of the road”
For his part, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned in his statements on Friday that “Turkey will not be surrendered to the horror of the road” and that the demonstrations would lead to a deadlock.
“We will not accept the disturbance of the public order,” he said, referring to Ozgur Ozel’s appeal for citizens to take the streets. “Remember that the road to which the president of the CHP is calling is a dead end,” he said.
Speaking at an event at a Constantinople Conference Center on the occasion of the Nevroz feast, the Turkish president said: “If you can still defend all this robbery, corruption, immorality and mafia, and the mafia class. If you have a face, if you can digest it, go out and explain to the nation the “bricks” with the money. If you cannot do this, do not disrupt the tranquility of our citizens by shouting, calling, terrorizing the streets, provoking the youth. Do not throw a shadow in the spiritual atmosphere of the blessed Ramadan. “
In the shadow of mass protest rallies in the big cities of the country, Erdogan warned: “I emphasize it again, we will not allow a handful of robbers in the CHP to turn their own problems into the problems of the nation. We will certainly not accept the disturbance of public order. As we have not surrendered to terrorism on the streets to date, so from now on we will not succumb to vandalism. May God protect our country and our nation from all sorts of trouble and problems and actions of the petty -bastards. “
Source: protothema.gr