323 people were detained amid mass protests in Istanbul.

323 people were detained during mass opposition protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. This was announced on March 23 by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

"During the night, 323 suspects were detained during investigative actions in Istanbul," he wrote on his page on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

The official added that any interference that damages public order will be stopped.

Earlier that day, Yerlikaya reported that a police officer had been doused with acid during mass opposition protests. He also addressed the protesters and advised them to "think carefully about what legal responsibility they are assuming."

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During the protests, the police detained almost 350 people. The day before, it was also reported that police in Istanbul used tear gas against protesters. On March 20, the Turkish Interior Minister announced that six policemen had been injured during a protest in Istanbul. Rallies on this day were also held in Ankara.

Law enforcement agencies issued a warrant for the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. According to media reports, an anti-corruption operation has been launched against the Istanbul administration. 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.