In brief
In a significant political upheaval, the opposition in Turkey is rallying in response to the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent figure opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following Imamoglu's detainment on charges of corruption and alleged support for terrorism, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in protest, showcasing a growing discontent with the government. In light of repression tactics by the authorities—including protest bans and restrictions on social media—the opposition is shifting its strategy to include a consumer boycott against businesses supporting Erdogan and organizing a mass protest for the coming weekend.
This latest wave of protests began after Imamoglu was arrested on March 18, leading to clashes between police and protesters in several cities. The authorities reported more than 1,300 arrests related to these demonstrations, which highlight a broader clash between government forces and civil society during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
