Anti-government protests took place in the center of the Turkish capital for another night, BTA reported. The protest took place last night in the “Güven“ park.
Many demonstrators are flocking to the center of Ankara.
The protests are being held mainly at the initiative of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
The demonstrators chanted slogans in support of the arrested mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, as well as against the government, last night. The protesters carried Turkish flags and posters with the logo of the Kemalist HDP party.
Many of the demonstrators again wore scarves over their faces.
Heavily armed police officers were deployed in the area of the “Güven” park. Water cannons were also deployed around Kızılay Square.
Similar demonstrations took place in many other places in Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the protests in the country. He accused the main opposition force, the Republican People's Party, of trying to "disturb the peace and polarize the Turkish people".
Fifteen million people voted in the internal party elections yesterday to determine the presidential candidate of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and chose Ekrem İmamoğlu, said the party's leader Özgür Özel, quoted by the opposition newspaper "Birgün" and BTA.
Ozel spoke to citizens in Istanbul, where, as in other places in the country, protests against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continue.
Imamoğlu himself announced the news from prison, sharing his joy at the results.
"We have a record turnout in the preliminary elections of our Republican People's Party for the presidency. 15 million citizens voted. Tens of millions of people in this country, suffering from government tyranny, a ruined economy, powerlessness and lawlessness, went to the polls. They told Erdogan "enough is enough," Imamoglu wrote in a social media post, quoted by the opposition newspaper "Cumhuriyet".
Imamoglu was the only candidate in the internal elections organized by the HDP for its presidential nomination.
The mayor of Istanbul, who was detained on Wednesday on corruption and terrorism charges, was remanded in custody yesterday by a court decision as part of a corruption investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Later in the day, Turkey's Interior Ministry announced that the mayor of Istanbul, as well as the mayors of two Istanbul districts, had been relieved of their posts. The Istanbul City Council will elect an interim mayor to replace the arrested and already suspended Ekrem Imamoglu at a meeting on March 26.
The arrests of Imamoglu and dozens of municipal officials from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) have sparked a wave of protests in Turkey despite a ban on mass gatherings imposed by authorities in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, which has been extended until March 26.
The Turkish government has categorically denied accusations that the trial of Imamoglu and his associates is political.
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and many other prominent figures "represents a serious attack on democracy," the French foreign ministry said, stressing that Turkey is committed to respecting the rights of elected members of the opposition, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a statement from the French Foreign Ministry. BTA.
"The observance of these commitments is a central element in our relations and in the relations between Turkey and the European Union", stressed Pascal Confavreau, spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry, noting that as a member of the Council of Europe and a candidate country for membership in the European Union "Turkey has voluntarily made commitments in this area".
The opposition mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu was removed from office and imprisoned on corruption charges. His arrest sparked a wave of protests not seen in Turkey for twelve years.
The mayor, a main opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was taken to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, according to his party, along with numerous other defendants.
Removed from office, he condemned what he described as "execution without trial and sentence" in a message sent by his lawyers and called on "the nation to fight".
"France once again expresses its deep concern", said the spokesman for the Quai d'Orsay (French Foreign Ministry). "Respect for the rights of elected members of the opposition and freedom of demonstration and expression are fundamental pillars of the rule of law," he stressed.