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Turkey\u2019s government denounced opposition calls for a mass commercial boycott following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu that sparked nationwide protests, describing them on Wednesday as an economic \u201csabotage attempt.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the mayor was detained two weeks ago, the main opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP) had called for a boycott of goods and services from companies with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
That call widened on Wednesday to include a halt to all shopping for one day, prompting some shops to close in solidarity with those criticizing the arrest as a politicized and anti-democratic attempt to hurt the opposition\u2019s electoral prospects.<\/p>\n
Imamoglu is Erdogan\u2019s main political rival and the CHP\u2019s presidential candidate for any future election.<\/p>\n
Trade Minister Omer Bolat said boycott calls posed a threat to economic stability and accused those advocating them of seeking to undermine the government.<\/p>\n
They \u201care an attempt to sabotage the economy and include unfair trade and competition elements. We see this as a futile attempt by circles who consider themselves the masters of this country,\u201d Bolat said.<\/p>\n
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the calls threatened social harmony and economic stability, and were \u201cdoomed to fail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several cabinet ministers and pro-government celebrities, including former Germany and Real Madrid soccer midfielder Mesut Ozil, used the hashtag #BoykotDegilMilliZarar (\u201cNot a Boycott, but National Damage\u201d) to emphasize their stance.<\/p>\n
The calls have been led by CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who has encouraged the street protests that have swollen to the largest in Turkey in more than a decade. Erdogan has called the protests \u201cevil\u201d and said they would not last.<\/p>\n
Turkey\u2019s economy has been hit by a years-long cost of living crisis and series of currency crashes, with growth having slowed and inflation still lofty at 39% in February.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday prosecutors launched an investigation into those advocating the boycott calls on social and traditional media.<\/p>\n
The Istanbul chief prosecutor\u2019s office said it was probing calls that allegedly sought to prevent a segment of the public from engaging in economic activity, citing possible violations of laws against hate speech and inciting public hostility. [Reuters]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n