More than 1.1 thousand protesters detained in Turkey

From March 19 to March 23, 2025, the Turkish police detained 1,133 people in connection with protest actions. This was announced on March 24 by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

"1,133 suspects of committing illegal acts were detained. Among those captured, individuals associated with 12 different terrorist organizations were identified," Yerlikaya wrote on his page on the social network X (ex. Twitter).

123 police officers were injured during the protests. Acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, molotov cocktails, axes and knives were seized from the demonstrators.

"The protesters abuse the right to assemble and demonstrate, try to disrupt public order, provoke street events and attack our police," Yerlikaya said.

According to the Interior Minister, the detainees are suspected of 17 different crimes, including drug possession, theft, fraud, sexual harassment and intentional harm to health.

The authorities urged citizens not to succumb to provocations, noting that any threats to public order will be suppressed.

Mayoral feeling: Turkey is preparing for new protests after the arrest of the head of Istanbul

What strategy will the current authorities of the country choose to resolve the conflict?

Law enforcement agencies issued a warrant for Imamoglu's detention 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.

Later, mass protests began in Turkey in connection with the mayor's detention. The day before, it was reported that police in Istanbul used tear gas against protesters. Yerlikaya reported on March 20 that six policemen were injured during a protest in Istanbul. Rallies were also held in Ankara.

On March 23, the mayor of Istanbul was arrested by court order. After that, the country's Interior Ministry reported that Imamoglu had been temporarily suspended from his duties. On the same day, almost 15 million participants in the primaries of the opposition Republican People's Party (SNR) chose the arrested mayor as the only candidate to participate in the likely early presidential elections.