Overview

• Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains in detention following his March 19 arrest on corruption charges, which critics view as politically motivated.
• Mass protests reignited on April 8, with thousands of students and citizens demonstrating in Istanbul and Ankara against the Erdogan government's repression of opposition figures.
• The opposition party CHP, led by Özgür Özel, is mobilizing further protests and initiatives, including calls for early presidential elections to challenge Erdogan's authority.
• International solidarity continues to build, with Paris awarding Imamoglu honorary citizenship in recognition of his democratic values and unjust detention.
• The Turkish government faces increasing criticism for its use of judicial measures to suppress political dissent, drawing comparisons to past mass mobilizations against authoritarian practices.