Turkey’s largest protests in a decade have erupted after the arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Over 1,100 people have been detained across the country, with many more injured.
The detention was deemed “politically motivated” by Human Rights Watch, which called it an attempt to stifle lawful political activities. Experts say the move is aimed at silencing opposition and increasing Erdoğan’s power.
Critics argue that the government’s actions cross the line from a competitive authoritarian regime to full-fledged autocracy. The opposition remains resolute despite increased repression, with many calling for democratic rights and resistance to lawlessness.
Imamoğlu was viewed as the most significant challenger to Erdoğan’s decades-long rule before his arrest. His detention is likely to keep him out of politics for the foreseeable future, severely affecting Turkey’s pro-democracy movement.
The situation raises concerns about the stability of Turkey’s democracy and the potential for public anger to last for an extended period. Experts warn that protests in the Middle East often take unexpected turns, and the outcome of this situation is uncertain.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-continues-crackdown-protesters-following-arrest-main-rival-corruption-charges