Despite a ban on demonstrations in Istanbul, hundreds took to the streets on Thursday to protest the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu and dozens of senior municipal officials were detained on Wednesday as part of an investigation involving wide-ranging charges initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
He is considered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's biggest rival, and critics accuse the move of being politically motivated.
Following the detention, the Istanbul Governor's Office banned all types of meetings, demonstrations, and press statements for four days and closed several roads across Istanbul.
However, protesters rallied in Istanbul, with scuffles breaking out between students and police, leading to tense confrontations.
Separately, many Istanbul residents have also voiced concern over the detention of the two-term mayor.
"I'm very worried. There is nothing -- no justice, no rule of law, absolutely nothing. They have taken everything from us. Anyone who raises their voice is thrown in jail," said Fatma, a local resident.
"I find this completely wrong. There is no evidence, no proof -- just small lies they are presenting. But I have no worries because the future of Türkiye is in the hands of young people like us, so I'm not too afraid," said Ahmet, another local resident.
"We have countless concerns -- economic, legal, moral -- every kind of problem. We hope for a resolution soon, but at this point, we just don't know anymore," said Cem, another Turkish citizen.
"As long as they don't release Imamoglu, we are not leaving this place. I'm 70 years old, but I will not go anywhere. For Imamoglu, for justice, for the rule of law!" said an elderly woman who joined the protest.
Meanwhile, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglu's diploma on Tuesday -- a decision that could potentially block him from running for president -- sparking strong reactions from students.
Authorities have also detained dozens of people, accusing them of posting "provocative" content on social media that allegedly incited crime and hatred following Imamoglu's detention.
As part of the ongoing investigation into Imamoglu, authorities have seized a construction company he co-owns.
On Wednesday evening, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that control of Imamoglu Construction, Trade, and Industry had been transferred to the courts following a financial crimes investigation.
The Republican People's Party has labelled the detention as a "coup against the country's next president" -- a statement that drew a warning from Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, who said: "pulling the investigations being carried out by the impartial and unbiased judiciary in different directions, and describing it with expressions such as ‘coup,’ is extremely dangerous and wrong."
Imamoglu is expected to be formally selected as the Republican People's Party presidential candidate during the primary elections on March 23. Whether he will be released in the coming days will be critical for his presidential bid.
Despite ban, Turks rally against detention of Istanbul mayor
