Turkey arrests over 300 people during protests against Istanbul chairman's arrest

Turkish authorities have arrested 343 people in overnight protests in several cities, organised demonstrations against the arrest of Istanbul's chairman, Ekrem Imamoglu, the Interior Ministry said on 22 March.

Protests were held in dozens of cities, including in Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, and in the capital, Ankara, the ministry said through an announcement, REL broadcasts Periscope.

In the report it said the arrests were carried out to prevent “corruption of public order” and were warned that authorities would not tolerate “kaos and provocation”.

Tens of thousands of Turks have been protesting, mainly peacefully since Wednesday, when Imamoglu was arrested on charges of corruption and assistance to a terrorist group.

He is Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's main political rival.

The party of the mayor of Istanbul, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has condemned his arrest, calling it politically motivated, and has called on supporters to protest legally.

Imamoglu, 54, was arrested while the CHP was preparing to announce that presidential candidate Sunday. The party has asked people outside the party to vote for it in ballot boxes placed across the country as a sign of public resistance.

The upcoming presidential elections in Turkey should be held in 2028, but Erdogan, 71, could announce early elections to avoid limiting two mandates if he decides to run again. / REL/