Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu arrested on corruption charges

Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been arrested on corruption charges, triggering mass protests across Turkey.

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in what is being described as the country’s largest protests in over a decade. Critics argue that Imamoglu’s arrest is politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from running in the 2028 presidential election.

The Turkish government, however, insists that the judiciary is acting independently and that the case against Imamoglu is based on legal grounds. His supporters, including opposition leaders, have condemned the move, calling it an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence dissent.

As tensions rise, authorities have increased security measures across major cities, with protests expected to continue in the coming days.