Protests have broken out in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, with allegations of corruption charges looming over him. The mayor, who was expected to run for the presidency in the 2028 elections, denies the charges and his supporters believe it is a political move orchestrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The unrest has caused tension in the country, resulting in calls for action against those perceived to be against the protesters.
British musicians Muse and Robbie Williams have come under fire from pro-opposition supporters in Turkey, who are urging them to cancel their summer tours in the country. The pressure stems from claims that a local concert organizer insulted anti-government protesters, sparking outrage among the public. The organizer, Abdulkadir Ozkan, initially labeled some protesters’ actions as treason but later backtracked, expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
Since the mayor’s arrest on 19 March, nearly 2,000 individuals, including many university students, have been detained by the police. The controversy surrounding the concerts coincides with a broader call for a countrywide boycott in Turkey, condemned by the government as economic sabotage. On social media, Muse and Robbie Williams have been inundated with pleas to cancel their shows due to the boycott list affiliation of the concert organizer. Singer Gaye Su Akyol, a notable figure in Turkey, has made a direct appeal to the musicians to show solidarity with the pro-democracy movement.
Abdulkadir Ozkan recently announced that his company will be withdrawing from all projects related to the upcoming concerts as pressure mounts from fans and activists. Despite this announcement, some individuals are not satisfied, calling for further action. While Ane Brun has opted to cancel her concert in Istanbul, Muse and Robbie Williams have yet to publicly respond to the calls for boycott. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz expressed concern over the protests, stating that they pose a threat to social harmony and economic stability and are destined to fail
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