Mass protests began in Turkey, and Erdogan was called a "coward" — review

Mass protests have begun in Turkey in support of the opposition leader detained yesterday from Republican People's Party, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamgolu. In the Turkish metropolis, meanwhile, the streets are blocked, the subway is not working and the Internet has collapsed.

Several hundred people gathered outside the Shisli Municipality building, an elite district of Istanbul. Here they are chanting words in support of the head of the municipality, Resul Sakhan — he is also among the detainees.

The city administration, meanwhile, banned demonstrations and rallies between March 19 and 23.

Recall, on March 19, a "large-scale anti-corruption operation" began in Istanbul. The authorities of the country have issued a warrant for the detention of the mayor of Ekrem Imamoglu and his adviser on press relations Murat Ongun, Turkish media write. Imamoglu and his administration staff are accused of corruption and collaboration with terrorists. More than 100 people are involved in this case, including several journalists and businessmen.

Shortly before these events, on March 17, Istanbul University canceled the diploma of the Mayor of Istanbul on higher education. This happened after a request from the Turkish Prosecutor General's Office, which demanded to verify the authenticity of Imamoglu's diploma in business management. Imamoglu transferred to Istanbul is from a university in Northern Cyprus, and this university has not been officially recognized by Turkey.

The mayor of Istanbul was the only potential candidate for the presidency of Turkey from the opposition Republican People's Party. Imamoglu was considered the only real competitor of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the event of his nomination. According to the Turkish Constitution, only a person with a completed higher education can run for president.

And opposition members of parliament called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "coward."