Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan warned against street protests and defended the country’s judicial process on Saturday, following public outcry over the recent detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu.
In a statement posted on X, Erdogan said the era of “threatening national will” through demonstrations and unrest was over, asserting that Turkey remained a democratic nation governed by the rule of law.
“Turkey is a democratic country, a state of law where the rule of law prevails — not the law of the privileged,” Erdogan said. “No one is above the law.”
Erdogan condemned what he described as efforts to sow division and destabilize the country, vowing to prevent “provocations” aimed at disrupting public order.
“We will not allow the CHP and its supporters to disturb our nation’s peace through provocations,” he said, referring to Turkey’s main opposition party.
The president called for trust in the judicial system, asserting that courts should operate free from pressure.
“If you have courage, let democracy function. Let justice take its course without any pressure,” Erdogan said. “There is no privileged minority with the freedom to commit crimes in Turkey — nor will there ever be.”
Erdogan further emphasized national unity, calling on citizens to stand together regardless of ethnic or sectarian identity.
“As we have for a thousand years, we will continue to live as one on these lands — Alevis and Sunnis, Kurds and Turks, Laz and Circassians,” he said. “We will not allow those who seek to sow discord among our 85 million citizens to succeed.”
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions following Imamoğlu’s detention, which sparked nationwide protests and accusations of authoritarianism against Erdogan’s government.
