Deputies from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) blocked the work of the General Assembly of Parliament, gathering at the podium in protest against the detention of their party colleague, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The session of the General Assembly was postponed, according to the Halk TV channel.
CHP parliamentary faction deputy chairman Ali Mahir Başarır accused the government of violating laws and disregarding the will of the people. "You have trampled on democracy and the law, you ignore the will of 86 million people. İmamoğlu may be a nightmare for you, but he is a hope for 86 million people," the lawmaker declared.
CHP leader Özgür Özel, who arrived in Istanbul to support İmamoğlu, earlier called on all regional branches of the party to hold rallies on Wednesday in response to the mayor's detention. He accused Turkish authorities of an "attempted coup" and of trying to obstruct the CHP primaries scheduled for March 23, where İmamoğlu is expected to be nominated as the opposition's presidential candidate.
Authorities in Istanbul have banned rallies, demonstrations, marches, and public statements to the press in the city until March 23. According to Sözcü TV, police used force against students from Istanbul University who staged a protest over İmamoğlu’s detention. There are reports of injuries, but the exact number is unspecified.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ben Kerckx/Pixabay
Based on TASS materials