Overview

• Protests erupted nationwide after the March 19 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential Erdogan challenger in 2028.
• A viral video of a protester dressed as Pikachu fleeing police in Antalya on March 26 has become a symbol of the movement, energizing demonstrators.
• The Pikachu incident has drawn millions of views online, but AI-generated fake images of the event have circulated, raising concerns about misinformation.
• The Turkish government has arrested 1,879 people since mid-March, with 260 currently incarcerated or facing imprisonment, as nightly protests persist despite bans.
• Supporters of the ruling party have criticized the Pikachu symbol as a staged effort to glamorize dissent among younger generations.