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Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu's Arrest Triggers Nationwide Protests and Global Condemnation

The detention of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, accused of corruption and terrorism, raises concerns over democratic erosion under Erdogan's government.

  • Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a leading opposition figure, was arrested on charges of corruption and alleged ties to terrorism, disrupting his expected nomination as the CHP's 2028 presidential candidate.
  • Protests erupted across Turkey in defiance of a four-day demonstration ban, with thousands accusing President Erdogan of targeting his main political rival.
  • The Turkish lira hit a record low, and stock markets plunged following Imamoglu's arrest, highlighting the economic fallout of the political crisis.
  • International leaders, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, criticized the arrest as a threat to democracy and called for adherence to democratic norms.
  • The revocation of Imamoglu's university degree, a prerequisite for presidential candidacy, has further fueled accusations of judicial manipulation and political repression in Turkey.
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