Mass Protests Erupt Across Turkey Over Imamoglu's Arrest

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seen as a pivotal political rival to President Tayyip Erdogan, has ignited widespread protests across Turkey, marking the largest civil unrest in a decade. Imamoglu's detention on corruption charges has raised allegations of political motivations aimed at hindering his potential presidential candidacy in the upcoming elections. While Erdogan claims the opposition is responsible for violence and damage during the protests, opposition leaders, including CHP head Ozgur Ozel, argue the government's actions reflect a deeper erosion of democratic values. Demonstrators are calling for a boycott of pro-government media and businesses, criticizing the lack of coverage of the protests by mainstream outlets. The unrest has also prompted international concerns, with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizing the importance of democratic principles in Turkey's relations with the EU. As protests continue, the political landscape remains highly charged, with the CHP gaining significant public support in recent local elections.