Overview

• Police deployed pepper spray, rubber bullets, and water cannons against student protesters in Ankara on March 27, reigniting tensions after a brief lull in demonstrations.
• The protests, sparked by the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, have spread to over 55 provinces, with more than 1,400 people detained so far.
• President Erdogan has dismissed the protests as 'street terrorism' and accused the opposition of sabotaging the economy, which has suffered significant declines during the unrest.
• The opposition CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu as its 2028 presidential candidate, using his imprisonment to rally support and demand early elections.
• International condemnation continues to grow, with the U.N. and U.S. expressing concerns over police violence and the arrests of journalists covering the demonstrations.