Protests have erupted in Turkey after the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a strong rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The arrest comes just days before Imamoglu was set to be selected as a presidential candidate.
Prosecutors accused Imamoglu of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a “criminal organisation leader suspect”. However, many are viewing his arrest as an attempt to silence the opposition ahead of elections.
Protesters have taken to the streets, chanting anti-government slogans, with crowds gathering in front of city halls and university campuses. The government has banned public gatherings in Istanbul as part of four days of restrictions, but more protests are anticipated nationwide.
Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), is seen as one of Erdogan’s strongest rivals. The arrest marks a major crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists, and figures in the entertainment industry.
The European Union and several international organizations have condemned the arrests, with many calling for an opposition boycott of the upcoming presidential elections. Turkey’s justice minister has denied that the arrest was a political move, but the government’s actions have raised concerns about democracy and human rights in Turkey.
With presidential elections currently scheduled for 2028, Erdogan cannot contest again due to term limits. The only way he could run would be to change the constitution or call an early election before his term ends. As tensions rise, international reaction has been largely negative, with many expressing concern over Turkey’s shift towards autocracy.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yren8mxp8o