site.btaTurkish Opposition Holds Mass Rally in Konya to Protest Istanbul Mayor's Arrest

Hundreds of thousands of people Saturday gathered in the central square of Konya, a traditionally conservative stronghold in southern Central Anatolia, for a mass rally organized by Turkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), according to the Sozcu newspaper.

The demonstration, held under the motto "The People Defend Their Will," marks the fourth in a series of major rallies staged by the opposition across Anatolia in protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other municipal officials. Previous rallies took place in Samsun, Yozgat and Mersin. In Istanbul, similar protests have been occurring weekly, rotating between districts.

Imamoglu was arrested on March 19, along with several other CHP members, on corruption charges. A court extended his detention on March 23, and shortly thereafter, the Istanbul Municipal Council voted to remove him from office, appointing Nuri Aslan as interim mayor.

Imamoglu's arrest has sparked nationwide protests, some of which escalated into clashes with police and led to further detentions.

Despite his incarceration, Imamoglu has been formally named as the CHP's presidential candidate. The opposition has launched a petition demanding his immediate release and the calling of early presidential elections, ahead of the scheduled 2028 vote.

Konya, governed for the past 23 years by the ruling pro-Islamic Justice and Development Party (AKP), is widely viewed as a bastion of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Yet, Saturday's rally saw participation from a broad cross-section of society, including people with ties to the ruling party, united in demands for justice, liberty, employment and economic prosperity.

Thousands waved Turkish flags and chanted slogans criticizing the government, calling for Imamoglu's release and for early elections, Sozcu reported.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas was among the key figures attending the rally. "We are here today to demand democracy and speak out against injustice. This government refuses to relinquish power, but no one can stand in the way of the people's will," Yavas said.

CHP's provincial chairman in Konya, Bekir Yaman, read a letter from Imamoglu, penned in prison, declaring: "This rally in Konya is a reflection of our shared history and our collective demand for justice."

Opposition media quoted CHP leader Ozgur Ozel as saying to the crowd: "This nation will not let Imamoglu die, as Erdogan wishes. They will make him [Imamoglu] president instead of Erdogan. Despite Konya being Erdogan's stronghold, the people came out in force."

According to Ozel, more than 13.5 million signatures have already been collected in support of Imamoglu's presidential bid, with the goal set at 28 million.

Ozel urged President Erdogan to call new elections and added that the trial of Imamoglu should be broadcast live on Turkiye's national television and radio broadcaster, TRT.