"They can come at any time", says Gizem Sert, looking out the window of her apartment in Istanbul's Besiktas district. The sociology student from Bursa is referring to the police, and when they come to check her, she must be home.
Sert has been involved in the student protests in Istanbul against the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from the very beginning. With a megaphone in hand, she coordinates her fellow students and expresses her anger against the government.
Early one morning, police officers burst into her apartment and briefly detained her. She was then banned from leaving her home - she has not been able to leave her apartment since, writes the German public broadcaster ARD.
"They are trying to intimidate and pressure us"
In recent days, the police have carried out several surprise checks, but Sert is not letting herself be intimidated. She continues to organize the protests from her home and is in constant contact with her fellow students.
She says that many students have been arrested. "These actions instill fear, their aim is to pressure us", Sert explains to the German publication.
But now is the time to protest against this. "Erdogan changes the laws as he wants. That's why he can easily order the arrest of people who pose a threat to his power," the young woman says.
Lack of prospects - not just for students
Many young people in Turkey are outraged - and not just because of Imamoglu's detention: the economic situation is bad, youth unemployment is high - around 17 percent. When looking for a job, government supporters are often given preferential treatment. Added to this is high inflation, the ARD publication goes on to say.
For many young Turks, finding affordable housing in big cities is almost impossible - which is why many of them want to go abroad. "Seven out of ten young people want to leave Turkey," says Seren Korkmaz from the Istanbul-based IstanPol Institute. "The demands of young people are for a Turkey without restrictions on freedoms, where they can live in security and prosperity", she points out.
"I want this to end"
Recently, protesters have been wearing masks, as word has spread that the police are monitoring the demonstrators with cameras and detaining students purposefully. A 25-year-old protester told ARD: "I am tired, I want this to end. I want to be able to think differently. I want to have the right to live as a human being", the young woman says resolutely.
Then she heads to the square in front of the city hall, where thousands have gathered. It is noisy, almost like a happening. Not only students have come, but also many other middle-class people. Some have brought their children, others their grandparents.
"We will never lose hope"
The protesters are determined to put pressure on the government, which is why they are also supporting a boycott of companies close to the regime. One of the students has taken off his mask and says that everyone is determined to continue. "We will never give up or lose hope, the resistance continues", he emphasizes.
And it really continues. Demonstrations will now be held every Wednesday and Saturday. At the same time, signatures are being collected for Imamoglu's release. The goal is to collect at least ten million signatures by May 19.
Is Erdogan trying to buy time?
Korkmaz believes that Erdogan's government is betting on the protesters' exhaustion and wants to buy time. According to her, the international situation is also favorable for Turkey: the country is needed in connection with migration, in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and as a NATO partner.
However, the expert doubts whether this strategy will work. "I think that society in Turkey will not forget these injustices", she says, referring not only to Imamoglu's arrest, but also to the dismissals and arrests across the country of many mayors, journalists and opposition politicians.
"We must continue to fight"
Gizem Sert is trying to continue her studies from home, for which the university has relaxed the rules: exams have been simplified and can also be taken online. This is a great relief, Sert tells ARD.
But her thoughts are constantly focused on the protests. In Istanbul, they continue to take place every Wednesday, and in universities even more often. Sert hopes that this movement will continue to grow not only in universities, but also in society as a whole. "We must continue to fight", she says, and expects society to show solidarity with the young protesters.
Author: Markus Roche (ARD)