• The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has called for a protest at the Umraniye Clock Tower in Istanbul’s Umraniye at 19:30 (local time) on November 5.

This marks the latest protest in a series of weekly anti-government demonstrations organized by the CHP in Istanbul to denounce the perceived government clampdown on party officials. It follows the issuance of a new arrest order against CHP Presidential candidate and former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on October 27 on charges of political espionage. FORECAST: Given precedent, the demonstration is likely to draw a turnout in the high hundreds to low thousands. While the protest is expected to transpire peacefully, localized unrest cannot be ruled out, particularly if authorities perceive protesters as engaging in unruly behavior. This is particularly given that a heightened security presence is expected in the vicinity of the protest site. Localized travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the protest beginning in the evening hours of November 5.  

Those operating or residing in Istanbul on November 5 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of the Umraniye Clock Tower area due to the slated protest and associated risk of unrest.