- 11 activists and actor Cem Yigit Uzumoglu detained over boycott
- 2,000+ arrested since March in widening political crackdown
- Opposition claims judicial harassment ahead of potential early elections
- Allegations of detainee mistreatment spark human rights concerns
Turkish police intensified their suppression of dissent Thursday by arresting 11 individuals linked to Wednesday's nationwide shopping boycott. The coordinated protests emerged as solidarity actions for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, imprisoned since March 19 on corruption charges critics label politically motivated. State-run Anadolu Agency confirmed the detentions targeted social media activists and businesses supporting the economic protest.
Notable among those detained was Cem Yigit Uzumoglu, star of Netflix's historical series Rise of Empires: Ottoman. The Actors’ Union condemned his arrest as cultural intimidationtargeting high-profile government critics. Legal documents reveal prosecutors accused detainees of inciting hatred against constitutional institutions- a charge frequently used against Erdogan opponents.
Recent protests mark Turkey's largest anti-government mobilization since 2013's Gezi Park demonstrations. Analysts note three critical developments driving unrest:
- Unprecedented coalition between secular opposition and conservative voters
- Economic crisis with annual inflation at 68% (March 2024)
- EU reports documenting 300% increase in political detentions since 2022
Regional comparisons reveal Turkey's protest dynamics mirror Iran's 2022 hijab protests and Serbia's 2023 environmental demonstrations, where economic grievances fueled political mobilization. Unlike these cases, Turkey's opposition maintains institutional power through municipal governments - 65% of Turks now live under opposition-controlled cities.
Imamoglu's imprisonment follows a pattern seen in 12 other CHP mayors since 2019, per opposition records. The Republican People’s Party confirmed his presidential candidacy despite ongoing legal battles, signaling heightened political stakes. With per capita GDP dropping 15% since 2020, analysts suggest boycotts could cripple Turkey's $25B retail sector already battered by inflation.
International responses remain muted, though Human Rights Watch documented 316 protesters jailed without trial. Lawyers report detainees facing:
- Extended solitary confinement
- Denial of medical care
- Confiscation of communication devices
As tensions escalate, Istanbul's Chamber of Commerce reports 43% of retailers observed reduced Wednesday foot traffic. The government counters with investigations into 78 businesses accused of supporting protests, while state media continues blacking out protest coverage. With early elections likely before 2028, Turkey's political crisis shows no signs of abating.
