June 26, 2025
His X account has nearly 10 million followers
Doubts outweigh peace hopes in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast amid a crackdown on opposition parties and the surprise arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
Despite bans on street gatherings in many cities, the mostly peaceful anti-government demonstrations continue for a fifth consecutive night
Imamoglu denies the charges he faces as "unimaginable accusations and slanders" and calls for nationwide protests
The decision to send Imamoglu to jail comes after the main opposition party, European leaders and tens of thousands of protesters criticised the actions against him
He is a key opposition figure and potential challenger to longtime President Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish authorities identify 261 social media accounts for ‘provocative posts’ following the detention of Imamoglu
His appeal beyond his secular party's traditional base has propelled him onto the national stage, making him a competitive contender
