The brawl took place amid massive protests demanding the release of Istanbul’s mayor from police custody
Supporters of detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have attempted to break through a security barrier erected by police inside a courthouse on Sunday.
Lawmakers from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) scuffled with officers and dismantled a barricade in the lobby.
Cemal Enginyurt, an MP from the CHP, has argued that by setting up barricades, the authorities were “taking away the right of the legislators to meet with their friends, to greet Ekrem Imamoglu.”
Imamoglu was earlier taken to the courthouse, where the judge is expected to rule on the prosecution’s request to arrest him on corruption and terrorism charges.
The CHP has called on people to defy a ban on rallies in Istanbul and take to the streets. Large demonstrations took place in Istanbul, Ankara, and other major cities on Saturday. In some instances, people used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Around 320 people were detained on Friday in connection to the protests in different cities. According to the news channel NTV, 56 people have been detained for making “provocative” posts on social media.
Imamoglu, who ran for vice president during the 2023 presidential election, was detained on Wednesday.
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The prosecution alleges that he was taking bribes and aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is designated as a terrorist group in Türkiye. The mayor has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the charges were politically motivated.
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