Overview

• Nationwide protests have entered their eleventh day following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption and terrorism charges, which he denies as politically motivated.
• Over 1,900 demonstrators, including students and journalists, have been detained, with allegations of police brutality and judicial overreach adding to public outrage.
• The CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu as its 2028 presidential candidate, emphasizing his role as a symbol of opposition to Erdogan's administration.
• Dilek Imamoglu, the mayor's wife, has emerged as a prominent resistance figure, galvanizing support and calls for her potential political leadership.
• The situation has drawn sharp international criticism, with concerns over Turkey's democratic backsliding and its implications for relations with NATO and the EU.