Protests erupted in Istanbul after Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest on corruption charges, with supporters calling it a politically motivated move by President Erdogan's government. Authorities deny interference, claiming judicial independence.

Clashes broke out outside Istanbul’s city hall on Sunday night as protesters confronted police during a demonstration against the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a significant political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The protest saw many demonstrators carrying flares, creating a charged atmosphere that was met with a strong police response. Officers used pepper spray to disperse the crowd, intensifying the already tense situation.

Earlier in the day, a court officially ordered Imamoglu’s detention on corruption charges, leading to his imprisonment while he awaits trial. His arrest, which took place on Wednesday morning, has ignited the largest wave of protests in Turkey in more than a decade. For five consecutive nights, thousands of supporters have gathered outside the city hall, voicing their discontent and calling for his release.

Imamoglu's supporters see his detention as a politically motivated effort to eliminate a prominent opponent ahead of the next presidential election scheduled for 2028. They argue that the move undermines democracy and the rule of law in Turkey, fueling concerns about increasing authoritarianism in the country.

However, Turkish government officials have dismissed claims of political interference, insisting that the judiciary operates independently and that Imamoglu’s arrest is purely a matter of legal process. Despite these assurances, the situation has drawn significant international attention, with many questioning the state of justice and democratic rights in Turkey.