Istanbul, Apr. 9, (dpa/GNA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday targeted the country’s main opposition party, calling it the “embodiment of fascism” amid the political fallout sparked by the jailing and dismissal of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

İmamoğlu’s jailing sparked nationwide protests while his Republican People’s Party (CHP) vowed to expand demonstrations and boycott businesses and media outlets they consider aligned with Erdoğan.

“This is nothing but pure fascism,” Erdoğan said of the CHP’s boycott calls in an address to his party’s parliamentary group in Ankara.

The CHP is calling for weekly rallies in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey, demanding their presidential candidate İmamoğlu’s release and early elections.

Turkey’s next presidential polls are scheduled for 2028.

A rally is scheduled for Wednesday evening in Istanbul. Student groups have separately called for protests.

Erdoğan on Wednesday accused the CHP of manipulating youth protests for political gain. “They sent the youth to clash with the police and now cry crocodile tears,” he said.

The student-led demonstrations have frequently been met with force, including water cannon and tear gas. Protestors describe the jailing of İmamoğlu and several aides as a politically motivated move to silence Erdoğan’s top rival.

While the Interior Ministry has reported injuries among the police, no official figures have been released on injured protesters.

İmamoğlu faces corruption and terrorism charges which he denies.

GNA

PDC