Thousands protest in Turkey after Istanbul Mayor sentenced to prison

Thousands of people protested in Turkey on Thursday to oppose the conviction and political ban of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a popular rival to President Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party. 

On Wednesday, a Turkish court sentenced Imamoglu to two years and seven months for insulting public officials in a speech after he won the elections for mayor of Istanbul in 2019. 

While Imamoglu has not yet been arrested, his party said he would appeal the ruling. If the ruling stands, he would not go to prison because it is below the threshold required for incarceration in Turkey, but he will be removed as mayor and barred from political activity. 

The verdict drew criticism in Turkey and abroad, with many calling it an abuse of democracy and a political move ahead of the elections next year.

During the protests, thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of Istanbul’s municipality building, waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans critical to President Erdogan.

"Rights, law, justice. ... The day will come when the AKP is called to account," the crowd chanted.

Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections are set to be held by June next year and could pose a challenge to Erdogan’s two decades in power. 

"The government is afraid and that's why there was such a verdict. Nobody can stop this nation," said Filiz Kumbasar, 56, who traveled some 125 miles to join the protests in Istanbul. 

Imamoglu’s party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), leads a six-party opposition alliance against Erdogan and plans to run for next year's elections. While the coalition has yet to pick a presidential candidate, many have suggested that Imamolgu might rise to the challenge proving a threat to Erdogan. However, this week’s court ruling would bar him from running. 

The U.S. State Department said it was “deeply troubled and disappointed” by the jail sentence against Imamoglu. 

"This unjust sentence is inconsistent with respect for human rights, with respect to fundamental freedoms and rule of law," said State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel on Wednesday.

"We remain gravely concerned by the continued indictment of civil society, media, political and business leaders in Turkey and their prolonged pretrial detention," he added.