Massive Rally in Istanbul Demands Release of Jailed Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Hundreds of thousands protest in Turkey’s largest demonstrations in over a decade, condemning political repression and calling for early elections.

• Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, detained on March 19 on corruption and terrorism charges, remains jailed as protests escalate nationwide.
• The Republican People's Party (CHP) has declared Imamoglu its 2028 presidential candidate and is demanding early elections, citing government illegitimacy.
• Saturday's rally in Istanbul drew hundreds of thousands, with CHP leader Ozgur Ozel calling for unity and denouncing the charges as politically motivated.
• Nearly 2,000 protesters, including journalists and students, have been detained in a government crackdown criticized by rights groups and foreign governments.
• The ongoing unrest has destabilized Turkey’s economy, with the lira plunging and financial markets under strain as international criticism of Erdogan's government intensifies.

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