Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered again in Istanbul on Saturday to show support for the jailed mayor and demand his release.
The rally, organised by Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), was the latest in a series of protests that have led to hundreds of arrests and increased pressure on the country's long-serving leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Mr Erdogan's main rival, was detained on March 19 on corruption and terrorism charges that many saw as politically motivated.
The government claims that the judiciary is independent and not subject to political influence.
His detention and subsequent formal arrest on corruption charges on March 23 sparked nationwide protests despite bans on gatherings, police crackdowns and government prosecutions.
“They arrested hundreds of our children, thousands of young people… detained hundreds of them,” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel told protesters.
“Their only goal was to intimidate, to instill fear and to make sure that they would never go out on the streets again.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday that about 1,900 people had been detained since March 19, and pro-government media reported on Friday that prosecutors had asked for up to three years in prison for 74 of those detained.
Police kept their distance during Saturday's rally and no new arrests were reported.
Mr Ozel called for the immediate release of Mr Imamoglu, as well as other political prisoners, including Selahattin Demirtas, a former presidential candidate and founder of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM).
“In the Turkey we represent, presidential candidates should not be in prison,” Mr. Ozel added.
Last Sunday, hours after his formal arrest, Mr. Imamoglu won a symbolic victory in a primary election to become the CHP's candidate in the presidential election, currently scheduled for 2028 but likely to be held sooner.
Mr. Ozel noted that they would begin collecting signatures for the release of Mr. Imamoglu, as well as for the demand for early elections.
Other speakers at Saturday's rally included Dilek Imamoglu, the wife of the arrested mayor, and Ankara Mayor Mazur Yavas, another prominent CHP figure.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
