Uzbeks in Turkey warned  

In recent days, various protests and mass gatherings have taken place in Istanbul. In this regard, the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul has issued a warning.  

Turkish law enforcement agencies have identified 261 individuals who posted provocative content on social media, resulting in the arrest of 37 people. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution when expressing opinions or sharing messages online.  

To ensure safety, the following measures should be observed:  

- Avoid participating in protests, rallies, or mass gatherings.  
- Refrain from visiting crowded areas and plan your routes in advance.  
- Exercise caution on social media; do not post or share provocative content.  
- Follow official news sources and stay informed about the latest developments.  
- In case of an emergency, contact the Consulate General.  

“Your safety is important to us. Please be as cautious as possible and follow the instructions of law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.  

Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest  

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and a key political opponent of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was arrested along with 106 of his supporters in the early hours of March 19. They are accused of aiding the Kurdish militant-political organization PKK and engaging in other illegal activities.  

Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç issued a statement regarding the arrests. He stated that, as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, arrest warrants were issued this morning for 106 suspects, including the mayor of Istanbul. Reports indicate that the prosecutor’s office is conducting two separate investigations. The case materials include reports from MASAK (the Financial Crimes Investigation Board), expert tax assessments, deposit reports, witness testimonies, and other evidence.  

Fahrettin Altun, head of the Communications Directorate of the Turkish President’s Office, stated that following İmamoğlu's arrest, slander and misinformation have been spread against the head of state. He condemned attempts to undermine judicial independence and criticized ideological attacks on President Erdoğan.  

Meanwhile, students in Istanbul staged protests against İmamoğlu’s arrest. Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), called on the country’s 86 million citizens to take to the streets on Sunday, March 23, in protest against the mayor’s detention.  

Additionally, members of the Communist Party of Ukraine gathered in parliament to protest the arrest of their party members, disrupting the General Assembly’s proceedings.