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Mass Trial Begins for Protesters in Wake of Istanbul Mayor's Arrest

The trial of 189 defendants, including students and journalists, highlights concerns over judicial independence and political repression in Turkey.

Turkish protesters hold signs reading, "The moms are here standing by their kids," in Istanbul on April 18.
People gather to protest outside Caglayan courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, April 18, 2025, during the hearing of dozens of people accused of attending banned demonstrations after the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Turkish citizens protest outside the Istanbul court on Friday, holding a sign reading, "We want justice for our children."
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside Caglayan courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, April 18, 2025, during the hearing of dozens of people accused of attending banned demonstrations after the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Overview

  • The trial opened on April 18 in Istanbul, with 189 individuals facing charges related to protests sparked by the March 19 arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and mayor of Istanbul.
  • Defendants are accused of participating in banned demonstrations, defying police orders, and, in some cases, carrying weapons or inciting crime, according to court documents.
  • Journalists who were covering the protests had their cases separated from the main trial after defense lawyers argued they were performing constitutionally protected work.
  • Human Rights Watch and other international organizations have condemned the trials as politically motivated, citing a lack of evidence and violations of democratic norms.
  • The protests, Turkey's largest in over a decade, were met with a heavy police crackdown involving tear gas, water cannons, and mass detentions, with nearly 2,000 people arrested.