President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the growing wave of protests in Istanbul, branding them as “evil” and accusing the country’s main opposition party of fueling unrest.

     The demonstrations, now in their sixth consecutive day, erupted following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on corruption charges. Imamoglu, a key rival of Erdogan, has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated, a claim that the Turkish president strongly denies.

The protests began last week after Imamoglu, a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained. He was taken into custody on Sunday and spent the night in jail before being released. His arrest has been widely criticized by opposition supporters, who see it as an attempt by Erdogan’s government to eliminate political threats ahead of the next election.

Imamoglu has been a significant figure in Turkish politics since his surprise victory in Istanbul’s 2019 mayoral election, defeating Erdogan’s party in what was seen as a major political blow to the president. His rising popularity has positioned him as a strong contender for national leadership, making his recent arrest a highly controversial development.

The Turkish government has responded to the protests with a strong security presence, and authorities have confirmed that at least 1,133 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began last Wednesday. Erdogan has taken a hardline stance, warning opposition politicians to stop what he calls “provocations.”

“Stop disturbing the peace of our citizens with provocations,” Erdogan stated, calling on demonstrators to end their actions. The president also criticized the CHP, saying they should be “ashamed” for their role in the unrest.

Despite the arrests and Erdogan’s warnings, fresh crowds have continued to gather across Istanbul, with protests growing in size. Demonstrators have been seen chanting slogans against the government and holding signs in support of Imamoglu, demanding justice and fair political competition.

The protests come amid significant political developments, as Imamoglu was officially confirmed as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for the presidency in a symbolic primary vote today. While Turkey’s next presidential election is not scheduled until 2028, his selection highlights his growing influence in opposition circles and the potential challenge he poses to Erdogan’s long-standing rule.

As the situation intensifies, Erdogan’s government faces mounting pressure from both domestic and international observers. Critics argue that the arrest of opposition figures undermines democracy in Turkey, while Erdogan and his supporters maintain that the legal process is being carried out fairly.

With tensions at a boiling point and opposition supporters refusing to back down, the coming days could be crucial in determining the political landscape of Turkey. The protests show no signs of stopping, and the government’s next moves will be closely watched as the crisis unfolds.