Protests Surge in Turkey as Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu Remains Detained

Thousands rally in Istanbul and Ankara against political repression, while international support grows for detained opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu.

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.