Ankara-SANA
Tens of thousands of Turks demonstrated in Istanbul to denounce the authoritarian policies of the head of the Turkish regime, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and in solidarity with the opposition mayor of the city, Ekrem Imamoglu, after a judicial decision was issued preventing him from practicing politics before the presidential elections scheduled for next year.
Turkish opposition media reported that Imamoglu and six other opposition party leaders appeared side by side in a crowd of their supporters in the protest, which aims primarily to show defiance in the face of Erdogan.
Imamoglu addressed the crowd, saying, "I am not at all afraid of their illegitimate rule, nor do I have judges to protect me, but behind me are 16 million Istanbul residents and our nation."
Hundreds of Turks also demonstrated in the city of Trabzon, Imamoglu's hometown, in solidarity with him against the court's decision and banning him from political action.
It is noteworthy that this demonstration represents the first joint public appearance of the main opposition leaders during the election campaign and constituted the largest gathering against Erdogan.
In the same vein, a Metropoll poll showed that even voters of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party believe that the case against the mayor is "politically motivated."
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