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Erdogan calls Turkey protests over Imamoglu arrest 'evil' Turkey protests: Sixth night of demonstrations as Erdogan hits out at unrest
(about 11 hours later)
Watch: Crowds gather in Istanbul for sixth day of protests 'We're trying to bring democracy back': BBC reporter on the ground in Istanbul
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed opposition political parties for provoking a "movement of violence", as protests in the country continue for a sixth night. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed opposition parties for provoking a "movement of violence" as protests in the country continued for a sixth night.
Unrest began in Istanbul last Wednesday when the city's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan's main presidential rival, was detained on corruption charges. Unrest began in Istanbul last Wednesday when the city's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - Erdogan's main political rival - was detained on corruption charges.
Thousands of people gathered once again on Monday. Unrest had escalated on Sunday night, with protesters fired on with tear gas and rubber bullets. Imamoglu said the allegations against him were politically motivated, a claim Erdogan has denied.
Imamoglu, also suspended from his post as mayor, said the allegations against him were politically motivated, a claim denied by Erdogan. Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party's (CHP), which announced Imamoglu as its presidential candidate on Sunday, said the demonstrations will end on Tuesday, without saying what the next steps would be.
Large numbers of riot police accompanied protesters around Istanbul's city hall on Monday night, as crowds chanted and waved Turkish flags. Earlier, Erdogan had labelled the demonstrations "evil" and blamed the opposition for "disturbing the peace of our citizens with provocations".
Vehicles carrying water guns were also seen close by, though protests appeared to be largely peaceful with no repeat of the fierce clashes seen on Sunday. Speaking from Ankara, Turkey's capital, Erdogan called for the protests to end and said that "instead of responding to allegations", opposition parties had "made the most vile and unlawful statements in our political history for [the last] five days".
In figures released before Monday evening's gatherings, the Turkish government said 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests started. On Monday, vehicles carrying water cannons were seen close to the city hall, though protests appeared to be largely peaceful with no repeat of the fierce clashes seen on Sunday.
In an earlier televised statement, Erdogan labelled the demonstrations "evil" and blamed opposition political parties for "disturbing the peace of our citizens with provocations". In figures released before Monday evening's gatherings, the Turkish government said 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests began.
Speaking from Ankara, Turkey's capital, he called for the protests to end and said that "instead of responding to allegations", opposition parties had "made the most vile and unlawful statements in our political history for [the last] five days". With the CHP apparently ending its rallies in Istanbul, it is unclear if other spontaneous protests will continue.
CHP leader Özgür Özel spoke to the thousands gathered on Monday night He told the crowd that the demonstration was "an act of defiance against fascism". CHP leader Ozgur Ozel spoke to the thousands gathered on Monday night, telling the crowd that the demonstration was "an act of defiance against fascism".
Özel said he would visit Imamoglu in jail in Silivri on Tuesday. He said the CHP would appeal for the politician to be released pending trial, and for his trial to be shown live on state broadcaster TRT. Ozel said he would visit Imamoglu in jail in Silivri on Tuesday. He added that the CHP would appeal for him to be released pending trial, and for his trial to be shown live on state broadcaster TRT.
Despite being in custody, Imamoglu was confirmed on Monday as the Republican People's Party's (CHP) candidate for Turkey's 2028 presidential election. The vote confirming his candidacy was symbolic as he was the only person running. Why are people protesting in Turkey?
He spent Sunday night in jail after being formally arrested and charged earlier that day with "establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender". Turkey protests are about far more than fate of Istanbul's mayor
Watch: Ros Atkins on... the media crackdown in Turkey
Imamoglu was confirmed as the CHP's candidate for Turkey's 2028 presidential election on Monday, despite being in custody. The selection vote was symbolic as he had been the only person running.
He had spent the previous night in jail after being formally arrested and charged with "establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender".
Prosecutors had also accused him of "aiding an armed terrorist organisation", but this was not included in the charges.
He was also suspended from his post as mayor.
Before he was detained, Istanbul University said it was revoking Imamoglu's degree. If upheld, it would throw his presidential run into question, as the Turkish constitution requires presidents to have completed higher education.
In a post on X over the weekend, Imamoglu said he would "never bow" and criticised his arrest as a "black stain on our democracy".In a post on X over the weekend, Imamoglu said he would "never bow" and criticised his arrest as a "black stain on our democracy".
He also sent greetings to those protesting and said that voters had showed Turkey had had "enough" of Erdogan. His wife, Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, told demonstrators outside Istanbul's city hall that the "injustice" her husband faced had "struck a chord with every conscience".
The demonstrations seen in recent days are the largest in Turkey since the Gezi protests of 2013, which began in Istanbul over the demolition of a local park. These demonstrations have been the largest in Turkey since the Gezi protests of 2013, which began in Istanbul over the demolition of a local park.
They have been largely peaceful, but on Sunday police officers fired water cannons and used pepper spray as clashes unfolded.They have been largely peaceful, but on Sunday police officers fired water cannons and used pepper spray as clashes unfolded.
Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, Imamoglu's wife, was also outside Istanbul's city hall and told demonstrators the "injustice" her husband faced had "struck a chord with every conscience".
Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people detained last week as part of an investigation. Others arrested included politicians, journalists and businessmen.Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people detained last week as part of an investigation. Others arrested included politicians, journalists and businessmen.
His arrest does not prevent his candidacy or election as president, but he will not be able to run if he is convicted of any of the charges against him.His arrest does not prevent his candidacy or election as president, but he will not be able to run if he is convicted of any of the charges against him.
The jailed politician is seen as one of the most formidable rivals of Erdogan, who has held office in Turkey for 22 years as both prime minister and president. Imamoglu is seen as one of the most formidable rivals of Erdogan, who has held office in Turkey for 22 years as both prime minister and president.
However, due to term limits, Erdogan cannot run for office again in 2028 unless he changes the constitution. His term in office is due to expire in 2028, and under the current rules, he cannot stand again – but he could call an early election or try to change the constitution to allow him to remain in power for longer.
Turkey's Ministry of Justice criticised those connecting Erdogan to the arrests, and insisted on its judicial independence. Turkey's Ministry of Justice has criticised those connecting Erdogan to the arrests, and insisted on its judicial independence.