Turkish authorities arrested 42 people during a large demonstration held last night in Constantinople to mark 100 days since the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, and his removal from office.

The arrested men are accused of insulting the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and of resisting security forces, according to a post by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on X early this morning.

Thousands of people demonstrated in front of the City Hall, chanting slogans such as “United against fascism” and “President Imamoglu.”

According to media reports, police forces clashed with the protesters and tear gas was used.

Ekrem Imamoglu, one of Turkey‘s most popular politicians and a key opponent of President Erdogan, was elected mayor of Istanbul with strong popular support and belongs to the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

His arrest on March 23, as well as his removal from office as mayor, provoked strong reactions at home and abroad in the country. Several CHP cadres and associates of Imamoglu were also taken into custody amid successive waves of persecution.

Yesterday’s protest came at the same time as another major blow to the CHP, as more than 100 people were arrested on Tuesday morning in Smyrna as part of corruption investigations.

The Republican People’s Party denounces it as a politically motivated persecution by the government itself, which is manipulating the judiciary.

Erdogan, however, has repeatedly claimed that the judiciary is independent.

The CHP was recorded as the strongest force in the latest local elections, while Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) came second in a national election for the first time in its history.

Imamoglu has already been anointed his party’s presidential candidate for the next election, which is expected to be held in 2028.