The Turkish opposition announced rallies in support of Imamoglu on March 23

In Turkey, opposition leader and head of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel called on the population to come out on March 23 to protest in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested the day before. On March 19, he told supporters at a rally in the capital.

"This Sunday, thousands, millions of us will be on the streets. March 23 will be a harbinger of early elections. I urge all representatives of the CHP to support Imamoglu as the future president of Turkey," Bianet news agency quoted him as saying.

It is reported that during the speeches, activists shouted slogans in support of Ekrem Imamoglu, and also called for the resignation of President Tayyip Erdogan and the government.

Due to the situation in the country, the authorities have banned mass political actions in Istanbul.

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Law enforcement agencies had issued a warrant for Imamoglu's detention earlier that day. According to the Sabah newspaper, about 100 arrest warrants were issued in total. The media notes that an anti-corruption operation has been launched against the Istanbul City Hall. It concerns the holding of city tenders, as well as clarifying the details of the interaction of opposition officials with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. It is also reported that the houses of Imamoglu and his press adviser Murat Ongun are being searched.