Istanbul shuts down metro stations, roads, bans protests for 4 days
File photo shows the entrance to Taksim Metro Station, with people waiting outside in Istanbul, Türkiye, accessed on Mar. 19, 2025. (AA Photo)
The Istanbul Governor’s Office announced Wednesday that several metro stations, tram services, and roads have been temporarily closed as a four-day protest ban takes effect following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
In a press statement, the governor’s office stated that a four-day ban on all meetings, demonstrations, and press statements would be enforced across the city from March 19 to 23 to maintain public order and prevent potential provocative actions.
Metro, tram and road closures in Istanbul
As a result, the following metro stations, one funicular line, and key roads will remain closed until further notice:
- Emniyet-Fatih station on the M1 Yenikapi–Ataturk Airport/Kirazli Metro Line
- Taksim station on the M2 Yenikapi–Haciosman Metro Line
- F1 Taksim–Kabatas Funicular Line
Additionally, the following roads have been closed:
- Adnan Menderes Boulevard (Vatan Avenue) and all connecting roads between Aksaray Junction and D100 Junction
- Side roads of Adnan Menderes Boulevard, between Akdeniz Street—Oguzhan Street Junction and Kale Boyu Street—Sulukule Street Junction (both directions)
- Aksemsettin Street and all connecting roads
- Kocasinan Street and all connecting roads
- Mutercim Asim Street and all connecting roads
- Oguzhan Street and all connecting roads
- Akdeniz Street and all connecting roads
In the early hours of the day, Imamoglu was detained along with over 100 municipal employees, businesspeople and journalists on allegations of being a “leader of a criminal organization.”
