The CHP's "Freedom Rally" in Maltepe dominated Turkey's news cycle, with hundreds of thousands gathering in support of detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The rally featured his wife Dilek İmamoğlu declaring "you'll lose because you've wronged us," while Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş called for Silivri prison's closure. A letter from İmamoğlu was read to the crowd.
Government officials responded forcefully, with Communications Director Altun calling Özel's boycott calls "political incompetence" and AK Party Spokesperson Çelik labeling them "political fanaticism." Following the rally, four people were detained for attacking an Espressolab coffee shop.
In diplomatic news, Erdoğan engaged in "Bayram diplomacy" through calls with Palestinian leader Abbas and Qatar's Emir Al Thani, while Defense Minister announced Turkey would begin Ankara-Damascus flights. Military authorities reported the death of a non-commissioned officer, while Harvard University's dismissal of Professor Cemal Kafadar elicited criticism from education officials.