Sign in Subscribe
Mayors

Turkish Opposition Holds Massive Rally Against Arrests and Repression

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tens of thousands of citizens attended a large rally on Wednesday night in Kartal, Istanbul, led by opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) against the arrests and removal of CHP mayors, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The rally was the 37th held by the CHP since March 23, 2025, in various neighborhoods of the metropolis and across the country. The CHP's presidential candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been under arrest for four months on corruption charges, addressed the rally through a message. The opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, emphasized that despite the government's efforts to intimidate and destroy them, the CHP will continue the fight for democracy and justice.

Key Takeaways:

  • The rally was attended by tens of thousands of citizens in Kartal, Istanbul, and was the 37th held by the CHP since March 23, 2025.
  • The CHP's presidential candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, has been under arrest for four months on corruption charges, despite not being formally charged.
  • CHP leader Ozgur Ozel emphasized that the party will continue the fight for democracy and justice despite government efforts to intimidate and destroy it.
  • The opposition leader called on the government to give workers a pay rise to keep up with inflation and to hold the Minister of Education, Yusuf Tekin, criminally responsible for allegations of fraud in high school entrance exams.
  • A total of 963,142 students took the high school entrance exams on June 15, 2025, with 719 students receiving excellent grades, twice as many as last year.
  • Over 150 people have been arrested, including mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and its members.

Statistics:

  • 37 rallies held by the CHP since March 23, 2025.
  • 963,142 students took the high school entrance exams on June 15, 2025.
  • 719 students received excellent grades, twice as many as last year (352).
  • 20 million people have nominated Ekrem Imamoglu as the presidential candidate of the CHP.
  • 150 people, including mayors from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and its members, have been arrested.

Sources:

  • Birgun newspaper
  • Anka news agency
  • Halk TV
  • Turkish media reports

Read more