Hundreds protest in The Hague against arrest of Istanbul mayor Imamoglu

Hundreds of people gathered at Malieveld in The Hague on Saturday to protest the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a key rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The demonstrators waved Turkish flags and banners from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the largest opposition party in Turkey, which Imamoglu represents.

One protester stood out by dressing as Pikachu, referencing a viral incident in which a demonstrator in Turkey managed to evade the police by running in a Pikachu costume. The image of Pikachu, widely shared online, has reportedly become a symbol of resistance. At the protest, people queued up to take photos with the Pikachu figure, making it a unique focal point for the rally, according to ANP.

Protest signs at the demonstration carried messages calling for a "free Turkey" and expressing opposition to the current Turkish government. One sign stated, “For such a demonstration like this, you’d go to prison in Turkey.” Another sign read, “ErdoGONE,” a play on President Erdogan’s name, calling for his removal from power.

“Turkey is going through dark days. Imamoglu represents hope and change, a new future—one of freedom, justice, and democracy. That is exactly what the government fears. His arrest is an attack on democracy,” one of the speakers said, according to ANP.