Protests in Istanbul continued for the fifth consecutive day as thousands took to the streets against the arrest of the city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu. Detained on Wednesday on corruption and terrorism-related charges, Imamoğlu has denied wrongdoing and called for nationwide demonstrations.
Despite a government ban on protests, large crowds gathered near City Hall, facing a heavy police presence. Clashes broke out as officers used pepper spray on protesters and journalists.
Imamoğlu, a key opposition figure and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main rival, was arrested alongside over 100 others. His supporters claim the charges are politically motivated, coming after Erdoğan’s ruling party suffered setbacks in recent elections.
Authorities have shut down roads and escalated security measures, but demonstrations continue, marking Turkey’s largest protests in over a decade. According to the Interior Ministry, more than a thousand people have been arrested in the last five days.
