Turkey Detains Nearly 1,900 in Protests Over Jailed Mayor, Rejects International Criticism

On March 27, 2025, Turkish authorities detained nearly 1,900 individuals during nationwide protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on graft charges. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç defended the judiciary’s independence and the necessity of İmamoğlu’s detention, citing the gravity of the allegations and potential evidence concealment. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that out of the 1,879 detainees, 260 were jailed pending trial, 489 released, and 662 still being processed; 150 police officers were injured during the protests. Rights groups have criticized the government’s response, alleging excessive use of force and urging investigations into police conduct. The government has rejected international criticism, maintaining that elected officials are not above the law and that the judiciary operates independently.