Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared for a second day of police questioning on terror-related charges on Saturday.

Officers interrogated him for five hours over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

On Friday, police questioned him for four hours regarding corruption allegations tied to his time in office.

Authorities closed nearby roads and deployed a large police presence before transferring him to the courthouse.

His arrest came just days before the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) planned to nominate him for president.

The popular mayor strongly denied all accusations presented during both interrogation sessions.

Nationwide Demonstrations Erupt Following Imamoglu’s Arrest

Imamoglu’s detention on Wednesday triggered widespread protests across Turkey, which have only grown more intense each day.

Many demonstrators see his arrest as a politically motivated move to remove a key rival to President Erdoğan.

On Friday night, police clashed with hundreds of protesters in Istanbul, using pepper spray, rubber bullets, and tear gas.

Demonstrators attempted to break through barricades near the city’s historic aqueduct, throwing flares, stones, and objects at officers.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 343 protesters were detained and warned there would be zero tolerance for disorder.

He accused protestors of threatening public safety, aiming to incite chaos, and attempting to destabilize the country.

Government Dismisses Claims of Politically Driven Legal Action

Turkish officials strongly deny that Imamoglu’s arrest was politically motivated, insisting that courts act independently of political influence.

Critics remain unconvinced, arguing that authorities are using the judicial system to suppress opposition voices ahead of the 2028 election.

Imamoglu’s popularity and rising status as a serious challenger to Erdoğan have drawn attention at home and abroad.

Observers say his detention adds pressure to Turkey’s political climate and risks inflaming further unrest.

Despite government claims of neutrality, many Turks believe the charges are an attempt to sideline the opposition by legal means.

Protests continue to grow, showing that public dissatisfaction with the government’s crackdown on critics remains high.