Huge pro-democracy protests grip Turkey after Erdogan rival is imprisoned

While the protests have largely gone off without incident, some have turned violent, with demonstrators throwing stones, fireworks and other objects at riot police and officers deploying water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray. 

Erdogan condemned the demonstrations, which went on despite a ban, as a “movement of violence” in a news conference Monday, according to Reuters. 

Fears for democracy

Imamoglu’s formal arrest came as members of his Republican People’s Party, or CHP, started holding a primary presidential election to endorse his run against Erdogan, the AP reported. 

While another election is not due in the country until 2028, it is possible that Erdogan could call an early vote, although recent polls have shown Imamoglu polling well against Erdogan, who served as prime minister from 2003 until he was elected president in 2014.  

Imamoglu’s triumph in Istanbul’s mayoral election in March 2019 was a major blow to Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Turkey’s largest city alongside its predecessors for a quarter-century.