The flags wave and attendees, little accustomed to manifest massively In a country where doing so is a great risk of being detained, they dislike the air still very cold on the first day of spring. For the second consecutive day, the streets of Istanbul and several of the big cities of Türkiye They have been taken by tens of thousands of protesters in protest of the arrest, this Wednesday at dawn, of the mayor of the great Turkish city, Ekrem Imamoglu, and a hundred of their collaborators.
Imamoglu, the most popular politician in all the Turkish opposition and the only one that surpasses the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoganin the polls, he is accused of “leading a criminal gang” and having “links” against the Guerrilla Kurdoturca del Pkk. There are many more: in recent months, Imamoglu has been investigated by Eight different judicial causes. The Turkish justice has also decreed the expropriation of the construction company of which Imamoglu – a profession of profession – had a part.
“I want to do a Judiciary callto the thousands of prosecutors and ethical and honest judges who serve with love of this country. I imply it: you must go to action and separate these classmates that stain your institution, humiliate us in the world and destroy the reputation of our country. Silence is not an option, “he said Thursday, through his lawyers, the mayor of Istanbul, in reference to the judges that the opposition considers that they act under the orders of Erdogan.
Imamoglu arrest came only four days before the politician was declared presidency candidate of the main Turkish opposition party, the People’s Republican Party (CHPin its acronym in Turk). Imamoglu’s formal choice should happen in some Open primaries That they were going to be held this Sunday, in which the mayor of Istanbul was the only candidate.
The vote, despite the arrest of Imamoglu, has not been canceled, has announced the CHP, which hopes to convert primaries into a Great plebiscite and manifestation against the Turkish president.
“Favorable conditions”
“The moment in which this has arrived Police macroperation Against Imamoglu, however, it goes beyond the primary Chp elections on March 23, ”he explains Seren’s obvious korkmazpolitical scientist and professor at the University of Sabanci. Europa She is concerned about her safety after the arrival of Donald Trump [a la Casa Blanca] and seeks the support of Türkiye. In addition, Trump’s administration is interested in dealing with Türkiye about Syria’s futurealready Washington The domestic problems that may occur here are indifferent. In short, international conditions [para esta última ola de represión contra la oposición turca] They are favorable. “
In several European cities – including Barcelona– Turkish diaspora has scheduled protests in favor of Imamoglu throughout the week. “It is more important than ever that the world pays attention to what is happening. Freedom of expression It is not a principle; It is what keeps the truth alive, ”he explains Irema Turkish protester based in Barcelona. It is time for European governments to take action if they really defend democracy. Silence is complicity. If democracy is arrested today in Türkiye, where will it be tomorrow? “
