Mass trial begins in Istanbul over protests backing jailed mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Nearly 200 defendants, including students and journalists, face trial after mass arrests in Turkey's largest protests since 2013.

A university student holds a banner in support of Ekrem Imamoglu during a protest in Besiktas, Istanbul, on April 14, 2025. Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The mass trial over protests backing Ekrem Imamoglu began on Friday in Istanbul, with 189 defendants—mostly students and several journalists—facing charges stemming from the largest wave of demonstrations Turkey has witnessed in over a decade. The protests erupted following the detention and jailing of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on March 19. The arrests triggered a wave of civil unrest that rippled through major cities across the country, despite official bans on public gatherings.

The Caglayan courthouse, one of the country’s largest, was teeming with family members, opposition lawmakers, academics, and journalists when proceedings commenced. The atmosphere was tense but determined, with many present not only in support of the accused but also in opposition to what they described as an escalating erosion of civil rights in Turkey.

Among those standing trial were eight journalists, including AFP photojournalist Yasin Akgul, who were arrested while covering the demonstrations. Their involvement in the case has raised serious concerns about press freedom in the country.

Journalists on trial for covering the protests

According to court documents, the charges against the defendants include participating in unauthorized protests, ignoring police dispersal orders, and disrupting public order. If convicted, they face between six months and four years in prison. For the journalists, their lawyers argued that they were merely performing their professional duties.

Veysel Ok, a lawyer representing the journalists, addressed the court and called for their immediate acquittal. “They were there as journalists to cover the protests. That’s their job,” he said.

Despite the plea, the presiding judge rejected the request for acquittal. However, the court did agree to separate the journalists' files from those of the other defendants, which may lead to independent consideration of their cases.

The prosecution has taken a rigid stance, reportedly refusing to acknowledge the journalistic status of those arrested. Human Rights Watch (HRW) pointed out that authorities had dismissed claims of media involvement due to the absence of prior police confirmation, a standard critics argue is arbitrary and unjustified.

Erol Onderoglu, the Turkey representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), condemned the charges. “We want the journalists to be acquitted,” he told AFP, calling the case an example of arbitrary prosecution and detention.

A new generation of protesters targeted

What makes this mass trial over protests backing Ekrem Imamoglu even more significant is the demographic of the accused. Many of the 189 defendants are university students, most of whom had never participated in a political protest before. In post-2013 Turkey, where the government has largely suppressed mass rallies, these young activists symbolize a new wave of civic engagement.

Avni Gundogdu, co-founder of The Parents’ Solidarity Network, expressed frustration at the arrests. “We want justice for our children. They need to be at their desks in university, not in prison,” he said.

For families, the emotional toll has been immense. Many were unable to enter the courtroom due to tight security and instead stood behind metal barriers, chanting slogans and waving placards under the watchful eyes of heavily armed riot police.

The Istanbul prosecutor’s office has stated that a total of 819 people will be tried across 20 different criminal investigations. HRW reviewed nine indictments that together name 650 individuals, criticizing the prosecutions as “rushed” and “lacking evidence of criminal wrongdoing.”

Charges built on vague or social media-based evidence

The indictments, HRW noted, often rely on vague accusations or benign activities. Sixty-two defendants were charged with allegedly carrying weapons or covering their faces, yet court records only mention one protester holding a rock. Another 20 people were charged with inciting crime based on their social media posts—most of which expressed support for the protests but did not advocate violence or illegal activity.

Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director, criticized the case, saying, “Given the glaring absence of evidence, it is hard not to conclude that the intended purpose of these rushed trials is to send a warning against exercising the rights to peaceful protest or free expression.”

The broader political context also adds weight to these trials. Ekrem Imamoglu, whose imprisonment sparked the unrest, is one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most formidable political opponents. His rise as Istanbul’s mayor marked a significant shift in Turkish politics, challenging the ruling party’s dominance in the country's most populous city.

Crackdown as a political signal

The government’s response to the protests—mass arrests, pre-dawn raids, and harsh policing—appears to be part of a broader crackdown. During the demonstrations, police used teargas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, many of whom were peacefully assembled.

Thousands were detained in the days following the protests. The judiciary's rapid movement to prosecute nearly 200 individuals, most of whom are young students, has been widely seen as an attempt to deter future dissent, especially in the run-up to national elections.

This trial may be the largest of its kind since the 2013 Gezi Park protests, a defining moment in modern Turkish political activism. Then, as now, mass demonstrations were met with aggressive police tactics and sweeping arrests. But unlike in 2013, Turkey now operates under a more centralized presidential system, which critics say has eroded judicial independence and increased political pressure on courts.

International outcry and civil society support

Human rights organizations across the globe have condemned the arrests and ongoing trials. Reporters Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists have all called for the charges to be dropped, particularly against members of the press.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of civil society groups gathered to show support. Some held signs that read, “Being a student is not a crime,” while others shouted slogans in support of free speech and political expression.

Ahmetcan Kaptan, a university student who came to support his arrested classmates, told AFP, “We are here for the trials of our friends who are in custody. We won’t leave them on their own.”

The atmosphere outside mirrored the frustration and fear many young Turks now feel about their future. For many, this trial is not just about justice for the accused—it’s about the direction Turkey is heading in.

As proceedings are expected to continue over the coming months, the spotlight on Turkey’s judiciary will only intensify. For now, the mass trial over protests backing Ekrem Imamoglu stands as a pivotal moment in the country’s struggle between authoritarianism and democratic resistance.