Turkey Detains Nearly 1,900 Protesters as Unrest Over Imamoglu’s Arrest Escalates

Mass protests, police crackdowns, and international criticism intensify following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

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.