Erdogan condemns Türkiye's protests and dozens have been arrested

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the increasing protests in Türkiye's days after the arrest of a major opposition figure.

In a speech on Friday, Erdogan said his government would not “surrender” to “sabotage” or “street terror” before more planned protests. “We will not accept public order disorder.”

On Wednesday, police, Istanbul mayor, Ikrim Imamoglu, detained one of more than 100 people detained on charges of corruption and terrorist group assistant.

Government critics gathered in cities throughout Türkiye to protest, as the crowds gathered again in Istanbul and Izmir on Friday, and they were embarrassed by the demonstrations. On Thursday, 53 people were arrested in the protests, the Minister of the Interior said.

Ozgur Ozel – the leader of IMamoglu, the Secular Republican People's Party (CHP) – called for a third night protest outside the Istanbul City Hall at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT), saying that the president is afraid of protests.

He also asked people elsewhere in Türkiye to appear peacefully at the same time, wherever they are in the country.

“Craving these barricades without harming the police, and moving to the streets and squares,” he said.

The authorities tried to strangle the street demonstrations with a four -day ban on all gatherings in Istanbul, which were announced immediately after the arrest on Wednesday.

They have since extended this matter to Ankara and the Western coastal city of Isder with the spread of protests.

Before Friday's protests, the governor of Istanbul pro -Urdogan ordered the closure of Galata and Ataturk bridges, both of which cross the golden estuary of the century to where the city hall is located.

Likewise, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya criticized the demonstrations, describing the opposition as “irresponsible.”

He said 54 other people were arrested for violating a law on “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” by publishing online.

Tens of thousands have gathered across Türkiye since the arrest of Wednesday. There were increasing clashes with the police sent to disperse the demonstrations, which fired tear gas and pepper spray.

Yerlikaya added that 16 police officers were injured in the demonstrations.

The arrests of the Imamoglu and other major campaign in the country in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, journalists and personalities in the entertainment industry.

Opposition figures say the arrests are motivated. But the Ministry of Justice criticized those who link Erdogan to arrests, and insisted on their judicial independence.

Imamoglu won the second period of Istanbul Mayor last year, when the CP party invaded the local elections there and in Ankara.

This was the first time since Erdogan reached power, defeating his party throughout the country in the ballot box.

The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up and became the mayor of Istanbul as he ascended to power.

Erdogan has occupied his position over the past 22 years, as Prime Minister and Prime Minister. Because of the limits of the duration, he cannot run for positions again in 2028 unless the constitution changes.

The Chp presidential candidate, in which 1.5 million members will vote and Imamoglu will be the only person who runs, on Sunday.

The party also called on citizens to vote in symbolic elections, with plans to put ballot boxes in regions throughout Türkiye so that people show their support for the detained mayor.