CHP says the protests to continue until the prison mayor is released

The head of the BBC’s main opposition party in Turkey will continue that the protests will continue “in every city” until the early presidential elections are called, or Istanbul’s imprisoned mayor, Ikram Imamoglu, was released from prison.

Ozjor Ozil, head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), said that protests worldwide will include a very large demonstration on Saturday in Istanbul. He said that he would open the party’s campaign to make the next president in the elections that are scheduled for 2028.

“In every city we go to, we will have the largest gatherings in their history,” Ozil announced.

He told us at the headquarters of his party in Istanbul, where visitors, employees and advisors in Istanbul were: “Belief in Emamoglu and Democracy will make the protests larger and stronger.”

The opposition has brought huge crowds to the streets – the largest of which was seen here more than a decade ago – since IMamoglu was arrested seven days ago.

In addition to mass demonstrations, there were also mass arrests – more than 1,400 people and adopted, including seven Turkish journalists who were reports on protests.

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has many powerful supporters, condemned the demonstrations as “street terrorism” and accused the demonstrators of attacking the police and harming public property.

He said that the opposition’s “offer” would eventually fade.

Ozel spoke to BBC Fresh from a visit to Silivri Prison, a highly security university campus on the outskirts of Istanbul where IMamoglu is detained.

He told us: “He is in solitary confinement, but he is in good condition and has not been subjected to ill -treatment yet.”

Ozil said that the issue of corruption against the mayor of Istanbul was “a fraud to discredit his reputation.”

For example, he indicated allegations that imamoglu bought the ground at a cheap price, and the low purchase price may have been bribe. “The truth is that the small payment was just a deposit of the land,” he said.

Imamoglu denies all the charges against it, including “creating a criminal organization, taking bribes, extortion, and forgery of a public tender.”

He says his arrest was a coup. Turkish officials say the courts here are independent. Human rights organizations ignore this.

Ozil said that Imamoglu was arrested for one simple reason – to prevent him from becoming the next head of Turkey. Opinion polls indicate that the mayor may be able to do this – if it is not behind bars.

Ozil said: “Erdogan threw a winner of the elections three times in prison … in front of the whole world,” Ozil said.

“Suddenly, someone is fighting against him in a natural political way. It resembles your competitors coming and cutting the ball into a football game, because you win.”

The opposition party believes that the response of Turkish society and the international community will be essential in making a decision whether the Imamoglu is still behind bars.

But Ozil said that the Republican People’s Party felt “giving up” by UK Prime Minister Kiir Starmer and his party.

“While all Europe interacts, the English Labor Party did not say, and Starmer did not say anything. The cradle of democracy – England – and our brother’s party, the Labor Party, how can they remain silent? We are really affected.”

A few hours before this comment on Tuesday, Starmer spokesman said that there is a “ongoing local legal process” and that the United Kingdom “expects Türkiye to support the rule of law.”

If the mayor is not released, the CHP plans to continue fighting for the presidency.

Ozil said: “If Emamoglu Skirim and hinders his candidacy, any member of the People’s Republican Party can be a candidate and will be elected by 65 % to 70 %,” Ozil said.