Turkish opposition calls for boycott against pro-government companies after arrest of Istanbul mayor

Record ID: 1986739

  • Title: Turkish opposition calls for boycott against pro-government companies after arrest of Istanbul mayor
  • Date: 26th March 2025
  • Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (MARCH 23, 2025) (CHP POOL) AERIAL VIDEO OF CROWD GATHERED FOR RALLY OUTSIDE ISTANBUL MUNICIPALITY CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) CHP LEADER, OZGUR OZEL, SAYING: "Starting from tonight and there is no sooner time than tomorrow. Starting from tonight, identify those who earn their money from here (broadcasting the rally), find their audience here, earn their r
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: BOYCOTT ERDOGAN IMAMOGLU ISTANBUL MAYOR PROTEST TURKEY
  • Location: ISTANBUL AND ANKARA, TURKEY
  • City: ISTANBUL AND ANKARA, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Europe,Middle East,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004193426032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Turkey's opposition has called for the boycott of pro-government firms, including holding companies, coffee chains and television channels, as part of protests against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
    Imamoglu was dismissed from his seat by the Interior Ministry following his arrest over corruption charges, which the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said was a coup attempt against the future president.
    Turks have held rallies daily since Imamoglu was detained last week. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel has also called for the boycott of dozens of companies that are close to President Tayyip Erdogan's government, a move that opposition supporters have backed on social media.
    Several hundred opposition supporters gathered outside an Espresso Lab shop, a coffee chain listed among companies to be boycotted, in Istanbul on Wednesday (March 26).
    "All Turkish people should stay away from institutions owned by Erdogan and his cronies, not give them their money, and not fund Erdogan's government," said Mehmet, a university student who did not give his last name.
    Erdogan himself said the boycott calls were "irresponsible." "We will not leave anyone who works for Turkey, produces for 85 million people... to their mercy," he said.
    In a public statement reading, "We did not understand why we are being boycotted", Espresso Lab said it was established in 2014 without any political connections or state support. "We make coffee, not politics!" it said in a a statement on X social media website.
    (Production: Ben Makori, Ali Kucukgocmen)
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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