Overview

• Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure, was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption and alleged terrorism links, which he denies.
• The CHP, Turkey's main opposition party, has finalized plans for weekly protests starting next Wednesday in Istanbul and at various locations nationwide on weekends.
• Protests against Imamoglu's arrest have drawn comparisons to the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations, with significant youth participation highlighting widespread discontent.
• International criticism of Erdogan's administration is growing, with solidarity demonstrations held abroad, including a recent rally in Frankfurt demanding Imamoglu's release.
• Turkey faces a deep political and economic crisis, with high inflation and youth unemployment fueling broader dissatisfaction with Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian rule.