Turkish authorities urge citizens to keep shopping despite opposition’s economic boycott call for April 2

Turkish authorities called on citizens to continue shopping after the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) announced an economic boycott on April 2 to protest the arrest of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat addressed the boycott calls, urging citizens to push back against what he described as attempts to harm the economy.

“At this point, I call on our citizens to stand firm against the efforts of this radical minority to disrupt the economy, employment, and the livelihoods of our people. I have a message for our citizens: If you have any shopping plans for today, tomorrow, or the coming days, we invite you to carry them out on April 2. Additionally, I would like to call upon our tradespeople, businesspeople, and chambers representing companies,” Bolat said.

Boycott calls for April 2 initially gained traction on social media, but CHP leader Ozgur Ozel voiced the party’s support in a tweet on April 1, defending the boycott as a “democratic right.”

Ticaret Bakanımız Sayın Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat: "Ticareti Durdurma Çağrıları Ekonomiye ve Milli İradeye Karşı Bir Sabotajdır"

(01.04.2025) pic.twitter.com/EUMgr4HVCe

— T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı (@ticaret) April 1, 2025

Imamoglu was arrested on March 23 over corruption allegations. The accusations center on the questionable acquisition of three villas in one of Istanbul’s prime locations by his family’s construction company, in which he holds a 60% stake.

Official documents indicate that a close business associate purchased the villas on Imamoglu’s behalf and later transferred them to his company at a significantly reduced price after three years.

Prosecutor’s office launches investigation into boycott calls

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it has launched an investigation into what is publicly known as “boycott” calls, citing divisive rhetoric and individuals spreading such messages.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said that for some time, traditional and social media outlets have been used to encourage the disruption of economic activity by a segment of the public. As a result, an investigation has been initiated into these boycott calls and those propagating them.

The investigation is being conducted under charges of “hate and discrimination” and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility.”

Furthermore, the prosecutor’s office noted that investigations into physical and verbal attacks against certain businesses, triggered by the boycott calls, have been merged with this case.

‘This call is a sabotage against our economic independence’

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated, “The Republic of Türkiye is a state of law. It cannot be bent or twisted with threats, finger-wagging, or calls for street protests and boycotts.”

Yerlikaya made a statement on his social media account regarding the boycott calls that began following the corruption investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).

Minister Yerlikaya said the following: “Those who call our youth to the streets for their own political ambitions, trying to cause internal turmoil; those who attempt to sow seeds of hatred and enmity among our people; and those who slander our country by saying ‘torture is being committed’ are now calling for a ‘boycott’. What kind of manifestation is it that Zionist Israel is among those who enjoy the reckless calls of the main opposition the most?”

“As long as Türkiye stands on its own feet, maintains a firm stance in world politics, does not remain a bystander to what’s happening in the region, and protects the rights of both our nation and the oppressed, the same plays start being staged again. And now they are saying ‘boycott.’ So, who is boycotting whom? Is our nation going to boycott its own tradesmen, farmers, local and national products, producers, and native industry? Is that what is desired under the guise of ‘democratic rights’?”

Pointing out that those calling for a boycott would be threatening the livelihood of thousands, Yerlikaya said, “Let it not be forgotten that this call is a sabotage against our economic independence. This boycott call means playing with the bread of thousands! This call is an assassination attempt on our national economy! It is shrinking the livelihood of our own people.”

“It is an attempted blow to our economy! But we grow not with boycotts, but with production! The Republic of Türkiye is a state of law. It cannot be bent or twisted with threats, finger-wagging, or calls for street protests and boycotts. Do not drag our country into your intra-party fights! With the strength of our workers, producers, and farmers; with the energy of our youth, from 7 to 77, we will continue to work hard and march forward, united and together, toward the goal of a Great and Strong Türkiye,” the minister concluded.