Overview

• Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor and a key opposition figure, has been placed in pretrial detention on corruption charges while terrorism allegations were dismissed by the court.
• The Turkish Interior Ministry has suspended Imamoglu from his mayoral duties, citing his ongoing detention and investigation.
• Nationwide protests against Imamoglu's detention have entered their fifth day, with significant police crackdowns and reports of mass arrests across multiple cities.
• Despite his detention, the CHP has formally nominated Imamoglu as its presidential candidate for the 2028 election, though his candidacy faces legal uncertainties, including the revocation of his university degree.
• International criticism, including statements from Germany and France, has condemned Imamoglu's detention as a setback for democracy in Turkey, urging adherence to legal and democratic norms.