16 police officers injured, 52 protesters detained due to Imamoglu protests across Türkiye
Police officers stand in a street around the provincial police headquarters where Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is being held after his arrest, on Mar. 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that 16 police officers were injured as a result of nationwide protests.
According to Yerlikaya, 326 social media accounts have been identified for allegedly inciting public hatred and encouraging criminal activity, with 72 of these operated from abroad.
Coordinated efforts by the Cybercrime and Security Departments have led to the detention of 54 suspects, while operations to apprehend the remaining individuals are ongoing, the minister said.
Legal action taken against 53 protesters
Yerlikaya also provided an update on the protests that took place last night. Legal action was taken against 53 individuals for violations including:
- Breaching Law No. 2911 on Public Demonstrations
* Law on Meetings and Demonstration Marches, Law No. 2911, sets out the procedures, conditions, and rules for exercising the right to organize meetings and demonstration marches - Damaging public property
- Resisting law enforcement officers
The interior minister emphasized that Türkiye’s security forces continue to work tirelessly to maintain public order and safety.
He reaffirmed that the cybercrime department remains committed to combating criminal activities within the framework of the law.
Background
On Wednesday morning, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained as part of a large-scale operation targeting 106 individuals. The investigations cover allegations of corruption, terrorism, and involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
Imamoglu, along with high-profile figures such as journalist Ismail Saymaz and artist Ercan Saatci, is facing charges related to public tender fraud, bribery, and alleged ties to terrorist organizations.
The Turkish government has also imposed a four-day protest ban in Istanbul, leading to metro and road closures.
The detentions have sparked significant political reactions, with opposition leaders condemning the move as an attack on democracy, while government officials insist that the law is being applied equally to all.
Meanwhile, financial markets reacted sharply, with the Turkish lira hitting record lows and stocks experiencing a steep decline.
