Overview
- Protests over Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest have entered their sixth day, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating across more than 55 provinces despite bans on public gatherings.
- The Turkish government has detained over 1,100 people, including 10 journalists, with police employing tear gas, water cannons, and plastic bullets to disperse crowds.
- International condemnation has intensified, with European leaders criticizing the arrest as a threat to democracy and questioning Turkey's adherence to democratic norms.
- The opposition CHP has formally endorsed Imamoglu as its 2028 presidential candidate, even as his eligibility is challenged following the annulment of his diploma by Istanbul University.
- Turkey's financial markets remain volatile, with the lira and stock market experiencing significant instability since Imamoglu's detention.