Massive Protests Erupt in Istanbul Against Imamoglu's Jailing

In Istanbul, hundreds of thousands rallied against the jailing of Ekrem Imamoglu, the city's mayor and a key opponent of President Erdogan, marking one of the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade. Imamoglu was detained last week on corruption charges widely perceived as politically motivated, leading to nationwide demonstrations organized by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Protesters, many chanting for Imamoglu's freedom, have faced a heavy police response, with nearly 2,000 arrests reported in the wake of the protests. Imamoglu's supporters see him as a symbol of resistance against the Erdogan administration and its alleged efforts to silence political rivals. The government maintains that the judiciary is independent and denies any political influence over the case. Amid ongoing unrest, the CHP plans to sustain the protests weekly to continue the call for justice and democracy in Turkey.