Protests Intensify in Turkey as Istanbul Mayor Remains Detained

The arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu has galvanized mass demonstrations and international criticism, with Erdogan's government threatening further crackdowns.

Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a key opposition figure, was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and terrorism, which he denies as politically motivated.
Nationwide protests have grown, with a massive rally on March 29 in Istanbul's Maltepe district drawing hundreds of thousands in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in years.
Nearly 1,900 people, including students and journalists, have been detained during the protests, with allegations of police brutality and torture emerging from opposition groups.
The CHP has intensified its call for early elections, which could enable Erdogan to bypass constitutional term limits and seek another term in office.
International condemnation of Erdogan's government continues to mount, with global leaders urging Turkey to uphold democratic norms and protect judicial independence.