ALBAWABA - clashes between protesters and riot police were reported as the police used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the crowd, meanwhile, a protester in Istanbul was reported throwing acid on a policeman, local media confirmed on Monday.
Yeni Safak said that protesters in Ankara used fireworks, rocks, glass bottles, axes and screwdrivers against the police amid violent protests that erupted following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Tensions increased in unauthorized protests held in Ankara and Istanbul under the pretext of corruption and terror investigations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) after the court announced that İmamoğlu and 99 others were accused of corruption.
Turkish anti-riot police officers use pepper spray to disperse protesters during a rally in support of arrested Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul on March 23, 2025. (Photo by KEMAL ASLAN / AFP)
The local newspaper reported that during the protests in Saraçhane, one of the demonstrators threw a chemical substance (acid) at a police officer and then the perpetrator fled the scene.
According to local media, at least 140 people were taken by the security forces in Istanbul following the violent clashes that erupted since the arrest of the Istanbul mayor.
Nonetheless, a video was shared online showing some protesters fighting with police and breaking inside the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality headquarters.
On Sunday, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was placed under arrest by the Istanbul criminal court on corruption charges and not "terror charges," Anadolu Agency reported.
On March 19, Turkish authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan triggering massive anger and unauthorized protests in Ankara and Istanbul.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced: "İBB Mayor İmamoğlu and many people forced businessmen to give money, made unjust gains by acting with some businessmen, laundered the money they obtained from crime by making purchases and sales through pawns, and used civilians referred to as 'secret safes' in the transfer and collection of money."
