Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced the ongoing protests across the country, blaming opposition parties for inciting what he described as a “violent uprising” as demonstrations entered their sixth consecutive night.

The unrest erupted in Istanbul last Wednesday following the arrest of the city's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival to Erdogan, on corruption charges. Imamoglu, who was also suspended from his mayoral post, has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated—an assertion Erdogan refutes.

Protests Escalate, Authorities Crack Down

On Monday, thousands of demonstrators once again flooded the streets, particularly near Istanbul’s city hall, chanting slogans and waving Turkish flags. While Monday’s gathering remained largely peaceful, the night before saw intense clashes, with security forces deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds.

Turkish authorities reported that 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests began. Heavy police presence accompanied Monday’s demonstrators, as the government continued its crackdown on opposition-led dissent.

In a televised address from Ankara, Erdogan branded the protests “evil” and accused rival political factions of “disturbing the peace” through deliberate provocation. He criticized opposition leaders for making what he called the “most vile and unlawful statements in our political history” rather than addressing the charges against Imamoglu.

Opposition Pushes Back

Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), addressed demonstrators on Monday night, calling the movement “a stand against fascism.” He vowed to visit Imamoglu in prison and push for a public trial broadcast on state television.

Despite his imprisonment, Imamoglu was officially confirmed on Monday as the CHP’s candidate for Turkey’s 2028 presidential election—a symbolic declaration as he ran unopposed. His detention does not legally bar him from running for office, but a conviction could disqualify him.

The mayor spent Sunday night in jail after being charged with multiple offenses, including forming a criminal organization, bribery, extortion, illegal data collection, and tender rigging. In a social media post, Imamoglu vowed to resist, calling his arrest a “black stain on our democracy” and declaring that Turkey’s people had “had enough” of Erdogan’s rule.

His wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, stood in solidarity with demonstrators outside city hall, telling them that the injustice against her husband “strikes a chord with every conscience.”

Erdogan’s Grip on Power

The protests are the largest Turkey has seen since the 2013 Gezi Park movement. Though largely peaceful, Sunday’s clashes underscored rising tensions between the government and opposition forces.

Imamoglu is widely regarded as Erdogan’s strongest political challenger, though the president, who has ruled Turkey for 22 years, is barred from seeking another term in 2028 unless the constitution is amended.

Turkey’s Justice Ministry has dismissed claims that Erdogan was involved in Imamoglu’s arrest, insisting on the independence of the judiciary. However, with widespread allegations of political interference in the legal system, the situation remains a flashpoint for Turkey’s future.