Tens of thousands of citizens in Turkey have been protesting for six consecutive days against the arrest and removal of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has nominated Imamoglu as their presidential candidate, despite his detention on charges of corruption and terrorism.
The German government has voiced strong criticism of the Turkish leadership's actions. Parties within the ruling coalition are calling the arrest a political maneuver by President Erdogan. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) also demands Imamoglu's release, viewing his detention as an attack on free elections in Turkey.
Protests across Turkey have intensified following Imamoglu's imprisonment. He faces charges of corruption and supporting terrorism, which he denies. Opposition figures have decried the situation as a coup, with Imamoglu's party, CHP, raising concerns about the elimination of a key challenger to President Erdogan.