In a major turn in Turkey’s escalating political showdown, an Istanbul court on Friday acquitted 87 people accused of taking part in mass protests supporting jailed opposition leader and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The ruling marks a rare judicial pushback in a case that has gripped the nation and drawn widespread global scrutiny.
The acquitted individuals — mostly young people and students — were arrested in March during demonstrations triggered by Imamoglu’s shocking detention on sweeping corruption charges. Prosecutors are seeking an astonishing 2,400-year prison sentence for the popular mayor, who is widely viewed as the leading challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2028 presidential election.
“No Evidence of Criminal Activity”
The court’s written decision, viewed by AFP and reported via TASR, was blunt:
“As it was not proven that the defendants committed the alleged act, it has been decided that each of the defendants be acquitted of the charges against them,” the presiding judge declared.
The verdict comes after months of street protests, mass detentions, and rising tensions between Erdoğan’s government and Turkey’s emboldened opposition movement.
A Nation Erupts After Imamoglu’s Arrest
Imamoglu, a key figure in Turkey’s political landscape, was detained alongside dozens of officials from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in March. The arrests triggered immediate outrage, with tens of thousands flooding Turkey’s streets to denounce what they call a politically motivated crackdown aimed at neutralizing Erdoğan’s strongest rival.
CHP leaders have labeled the charges fabricated, while Imamoglu himself has repeatedly insisted on his innocence from behind bars.
Nearly 2,000 Arrested — Including Journalists
Turkish authorities cracked down hard during the protests, arresting nearly 2,000 individuals, including students, activists, and press members.
On Thursday, the Istanbul court also acquitted four photojournalists, including a photographer from French news agency AFP, who were detained while documenting the mass demonstrations.
Human rights organizations have condemned the sweeping detentions as part of a broader campaign to silence dissent, pointing to long-standing concerns about freedom of expression, judicial independence, and political interference in Turkey’s legal system.
What Comes Next?
While Friday’s acquittal offers a momentary reprieve for the protesters, Imamoglu remains behind bars — and the charges against him could reshape Turkey’s political future. With the 2028 election landscape already shifting, analysts warn that Erdoğan’s government may face growing public unrest if the legal assault on the opposition continues.
For now, supporters of Turkey’s embattled democracy are celebrating a rare courtroom victory — even as the broader fight is far from over.