Protests Intensify Over Istanbul Mayor's Arrest as Global Criticism Mounts

Ekrem Imamoglu's detention and removal from office have sparked nationwide demonstrations and raised international alarm about Turkey's democratic decline under President Erdogan.

Protests across Turkey have entered their seventh day, with thousands defying bans and facing police crackdowns in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and 2028 presidential candidate, remains in detention on disputed corruption and terrorism charges.
Over 1,400 demonstrators have been arrested, with police accused of using excessive force, including tear gas and water cannons, against largely peaceful protesters.
The EU and US have condemned Imamoglu's arrest and the suppression of protests, warning of potential diplomatic consequences for Turkey's democratic backsliding.
The CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu for the 2028 presidential election, framing his detention as a politically motivated attempt to eliminate Erdogan's strongest challenger.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung