• The People’s Republican Party (CHP) has called for a rally in Istanbul’s Maltepe at 12:00 (local time) on March 29.
• Per March 27 reports, around 1900 individuals taking part in or covering the anti-government protests, including journalists of international news outlets, have been detained thus far.
• The lawyer of former CHP Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has also reportedly been arrested.

The anti-government protest movement represents the most significant protest wave in over a decade, driven by widespread discontent with the detention of Imamoglu. The detention of journalists, including the detention and deportation of a British journalist, will heighten international criticism and scrutiny of the government’s response to the protests. This, combined with the high numbers of detentions, including that of Imamoglu’s lawyer, will further intensify anti-government sentiment. FORECAST: For these reasons, the slated rally on March 29 will likely garner a turnout in the high tens of thousands at least. Instances of violence, including high-level unrest and clashes between police personnel and protesters, are likely. In general, large-scale protests are expected to persist, especially in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir over the coming days. 

1. Those operating or residing in Istanbul on March 29 are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Istanbul’s Maltepe from the late morning hours onwards due to the scheduled rally and the associated likelihood of unrest.
2. Travel to Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir may continue while remaining cognizant of the elevated political tensions and prospects for civil unrest.