Overview

• Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a major presidential challenger, has been jailed pending trial on charges of corruption and alleged links to the PKK, which he denies.
• Protests against Imamoglu's arrest have spread to over 50 provinces, marking Turkey's largest demonstrations in more than a decade, with hundreds of thousands participating despite bans on public gatherings.
• Police have responded to protests with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets, detaining over 300 protesters and nine journalists covering the events.
• The opposition CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu as its presidential candidate, with millions casting symbolic 'solidarity ballots' in support of his leadership.
• The arrest has drawn international criticism, destabilized Turkey’s financial markets, and heightened fears of authoritarianism under Erdogan's government.