A week after mass anti-government protests began in Turkey, sparked by the arrest and pre-trial detention of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the Turkish opposition is calling for the demonstrations to become more widespread. "In every city we go to, we will have the biggest demonstrations in its history," said Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), speaking to the BBC on Wednesday.
In addition to the demonstrations across the country, the largest opposition party is preparing to organize a massive demonstration in Istanbul the day after tomorrow, Saturday.
According to Mr. Özel, the protests will continue until either Ekrem İmamoğlu is released from prison or early presidential elections are called.
The day after tomorrow's mobilization will mark the start of the CHP's campaign to elect Ekrem Imamoglu as the next president in the elections, whether they are held in 2028 as planned, or earlier.
"Faith in Ekrem Imamoglu and in democracy will make the protests bigger and stronger," Mr. Özel assured the BBC.
The opposition leader was remanded in custody ahead of his trial in Marmaray Prison, in Istanbul, along with dozens of other critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.
He was arrested in a spectacular police operation and now faces criminal charges for “corruption” and “terrorism.” On Sunday, he was “temporarily” suspended from his post as mayor of Istanbul. Despite his arrest and detention, the CHP named him its presidential candidate that same day.
Source: skai.gr
