Protests Erupt Nationwide Over Istanbul Mayor's Arrest Amid Government Crackdown

Protests erupted across Turkey in response to the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who faces allegations of corruption and ties to a terrorist group. Despite a government ban on gatherings, thousands gathered in various public spaces, resulting in clashes with police who had set up barricades. Imamoglu's arrest is viewed by many as a politically motivated attempt to stifle dissent and weaken opposition ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for 2028. Opposition leaders claim that Erdogan is trying to eliminate Imamoglu as a threat to his power. The government's crackdown on dissent, including detaining over a hundred individuals for social media posts, has drawn condemnation both domestically and internationally. Financial markets reacted negatively, indicating investor concerns about the implications for democracy in Turkey.