The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has triggered the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade, with opposition supporters accusing the government of political persecution. Justice Minister claims the arrest was based on criminal reports, not political motives, but critics argue it is an attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of elections. President Erdogan has blamed the opposition for destabilizing the economy amid the unrest. Imamoglu, a key rival to Erdogan, was recently selected as the opposition CHP party’s presidential candidate, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections. The situation has intensified political tensions in Turkey, with fears of further crackdowns on dissent.
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Istanbul mayor's arrest based on criminal reports, justice minister says
Turkey's justice minister said on Thursday the decision to arrest Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was based on criminal reports and not linked to the timing of the opposition CHP party's selection of Imamoglu as its presidential candidate.
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Erdogan blames opposition for wrecking Turkey's economy amid protest unrest
Turkey's president on Wednesday accused the political opposition of sinking the economy" during the country's largest protests in more than a decade over the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, the biggest challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 22-year rule.
