Protests erupt as Turkey detains over 1,100 following Imamoglu's arrest

In Turkey, escalating unrest has followed the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular Mayor of Istanbul, on corruption charges. His detention occurred on March 19, 2025, sparking a wave of protests across major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Since the onset of the protests, Turkish authorities have reportedly detained more than 1,100 individuals, including journalists. The demonstrators have voiced their dissent against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, which many critics accuse of eroding democratic freedoms and silencing opposition. The unrest represents one of the largest demonstrations in Turkey since the Gezi Park protests in 2013, as citizens demand the release of Imamoglu and advocate for a restoration of democratic principles. Observers note that Imamoglu's imprisonment not only poses a challenge to the Turkish political landscape but is viewed as a strategic move to eliminate a key challenger to Erdogan ahead of the upcoming presidential election in 2028. Despite the government's insistence that the courts are operating independently, the opposition maintains that these actions are politically motivated, aiming to consolidate power even further. Activists and opposition figures are calling for continued protests while denouncing the government's crackdown on dissent, raising fears about the future of civil liberties in the country.