Despite a ban on demonstrations in Istanbul, hundreds took to the streets on Thursday to protest the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu and dozens of senior municipal officials were detained on Wednesday as part of an investigation involving wide-ranging charges initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
He is considered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's biggest rival, and critics accuse the move of being politically motivated.
Following the detention, the Istanbul Governor's Office banned all types of meetings, demonstrations, and press statements for four days and closed several roads across Istanbul.
However, protesters rallied in Istanbul, with scuffles breaking out between students and police, leading to tense confrontations.
Separately, many Istanbul residents have also voiced concern over the detention of the two-term mayor.
"I'm very worried. There is nothing -- no justice, no rule of law, absolutely nothing. They have taken everything from us. Anyone who raises their voice is thrown in jail," said Fatma, a local resident.
"I find this completely wrong. There is no evidence, no proof -- just small lies they are presenting. But I have no worries because the future of Türkiye is in the hands of young people like us, so I'm not too afraid," said Ahmet, another local resident.
"We have countless concerns -- economic, legal, moral -- every kind of problem. We hope for a resolution soon, but at this point, we just don't know anymore," said Cem, another Turkish citizen.
"As long as they don't release Imamoglu, we are not leaving this place. I'm 70 years old, but I will not go anywhere. For Imamoglu, for justice, for the rule of law!" said an elderly woman who joined the protest.
Meanwhile, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's diploma on Tuesday -- a decision that could potentially block him from running for president -- sparking strong reactions from students.
Authorities have also detained dozens of people, accusing them of posting "provocative" content on social media that allegedly incited crime and hatred following Imamoglu's detention.
As part of the ongoing investigation into Imamoglu, authorities have seized a construction company he co-owns.
On Wednesday evening, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that control of Imamoglu Construction, Trade, and Industry had been transferred to the courts following a financial crimes investigation.
The Republican People's Party has labelled the detention as a "coup against the country's next president" -- a statement that drew a warning from Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, who said: "pulling the investigations being carried out by the impartial and unbiased judiciary in different directions, and describing it with expressions such as ‘coup,’ is extremely dangerous and wrong."
Imamoglu is expected to be formally selected as the Republican People's Party presidential candidate during the primary elections on March 23. Whether he will be released in the coming days will be critical for his presidential bid.
Despite ban, Turks rally against detention of Istanbul mayor
Officials and scholars from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region have welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote address at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing on Tuesday.
They said that the speech laid out the practical achievements and broad prospects of the China-LAC community with a shared future, put forward new initiatives and actions for the development of China-LAC relations, and signaled the direction for both sides to achieve common development and revitalization and write a new chapter in China-LAC relations.
"The projects designed by China for this region meet the needs of Latin American countries. In terms of development and investment projects, such as infrastructure, clean energy and digitalization, they are very important for Cuba. And projects such as the planned Brazil-Peru bi-oceanic railway and the expansion of the port of La Guaira in Venezuela directly and indirectly create jobs and benefit Latin American people," said Eduardo Regalado, a researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba.
Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi said that his country is committed to carrying forward the positive momentum of the China-CELAC Forum when it assumes the rotating presidency of CELAC from Colombia in 2026.
"Uruguay is looking forward to taking over next year and continuing the tradition of the past decade. To this end, we must strengthen the development of these platforms for promoting multilateralism, and carefully protect the achievements made by both sides at this year's meetings. We should not only achieve development in the field of economy and trade, but also contribute to promoting world peace," he said.
Other politicians from Latin America pointed out that China and LAC countries are all important members of the Global South, and are comprehensive cooperative partners featuring equality, mutual benefit and shared development. In a profoundly changing world, the strengthening of China-LAC solidarity and collaboration is an example of true multilateralism and sets a model for South-South cooperation, some said.
"President Xi Jinping has a broad vision for global development. China has made amazing development achievements, which have become a part of modern society, including technology, artificial intelligence and clean energy. The inflow of Chinese investment, such as for the construction of Chancay Port, has activated development in a variety of sectors [in Peru]," said Edgar Tello, a Peruvian congressman.
"President Xi Jinping announced the strengthening of South-South cooperation and the launch five programs. It will give more Latin American people the opportunity to study in China. China will provide a 66-billion-yuan (about 9.16 billion U.S. dollars) credit line to provide financial support for the development of LAC countries. And China will promote the civilization program to carry out cooperation in archaeology and civilization research. Such mutual cooperation and win-win initiatives between China and LAC countries are inspiring. We in Honduras are sincerely delighted with the series of cooperation plans announced by President Xi," said Rasel Tome, vice president of the National Congress of Honduras.
Officials, scholars praise Xi's keynote speech at China-CELAC Forum
