Turkish Protests Erupt After Istanbul Mayor Jailed

Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been imprisoned on corruption charges, sparking widespread protests across Turkey. The government's decision to remove him from office has ignited claims of political motivation and raised concerns about upcoming elections' integrity. Social media crackdowns have further fueled public anger and demonstrations.

Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been incarcerated on corruption charges, Al Jazeera reported, inciting widespread street protests throughout Turkey. The ruling to remove him from office and transfer him to Silivri Prison has met with nationwide indignation.

The arrest came just four days after a predawn raid involving hundreds of police officers. While the court has chosen not to pursue a separate 'terrorism' investigation, the Ministry of Interior has suspended him from his mayoral duties in Turkey's largest city, asserts Al Jazeera. Government officials refute claims that the legal action against the opposition leader is driven by politics, maintaining that Turkiye's courts are autonomous.

The timing of the arrest, coinciding with escalating protests, has cast doubts on the fairness and integrity of the forthcoming elections. According to the X company, over 700 accounts on the platform, including those of news organizations, journalists, political figures, and students within Turkiye, have been targeted.

The government's actions have been labeled 'unlawful' by X, which has vowed to support free speech through legal means. Nevertheless, reports indicate that several accounts coordinating protests have been suspended by the US-based company.

Imamoglu's detention has provoked widespread public ire, particularly among those who previously supported him in elections. Riot police have used rubber bullets and pepper spray on demonstrators in Istanbul, while similar protests in Ankara were met with water cannons.

Despite a ban on protests in three of Turkiye's largest cities and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's harsh stance against 'street terror', the unrest continues to intensify, highlighting the nation's deepening divisions. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)