Overview

• Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to President Erdogan, remains jailed on corruption and terrorism charges, with critics calling the case politically motivated.
• Nationwide protests, the largest in over a decade, have led to the detention of nearly 1,900 demonstrators, with reports of police using water cannons, pepper spray, and plastic pellets to disperse crowds.
• The opposition CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu as its presidential candidate, urging continued protests and accusing the government of eroding democracy.
• International organizations and Western governments have condemned the arrest and police response, citing concerns over democratic backsliding and press freedom in Turkey.
• The unrest has exacerbated Turkey's economic instability, with the lira and stock market under pressure, as Erdogan blames the opposition for destabilizing the country.