1,400+ Arrested in Turkey as Erdoğan Jails Istanbul Mayor & Intensifies Authoritarian Crackdown

Mass demonstrations are continuing in Turkey, where Istanbul Mayor Ekrem mamolu has been arrested on corruption charges. Since protests broke out last week, Turkish authorities have detained more than 1,400 people, including students and journalists. mamolu is the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoan in the 2028 presidential election and was recently nominated for president by the Republican People's Party. Erdoan has led the country since 2003, but his popularity has dropped in recent years amid increasingly authoritarian policies cracking down on dissent. Everyone knows that this is politically motivated and that Erdoan is scared that he's not going to win against Ekrem mamolu," says Turkish political scientist Ezgi Baaran.