Turkey: Mass Protests Erupt After Arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu

Mass protests have erupted in Istanbul and other Turkish cities following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. Imamoglu, a presidential candidate for the Republican People's Party (CHP), faces charges of corruption and terrorist links. His arrest followed the annulment of his university degree, a prerequisite for presidential candidacy. The Turkish government has responded to the protests with a crackdown, detaining 1,418 people. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that these arrests were made during demonstrations deemed illegal by the government. Imamoglu remains in pre-trial detention. President Erdogan accused the opposition of attempting to destabilize the Turkish economy and warned that those sabotaging the economy would be held accountable. Imamoglu's party has called for a boycott of businesses supporting Erdogan's government, further escalating political tensions.