Turkish authorities have arrested the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, just days before he was set to be nominated as a presidential candidate.

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Imamoglu, a member of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), is considered a strong opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prosecutors have accused him of corruption and links to a terrorist organization, labeling him a "criminal organization leader suspect."

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As part of the investigation, police have also detained 100 others, including politicians, journalists, and business figures. Meanwhile, the Istanbul governor’s office has imposed four days of restrictions across the city.

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Reacting to the arrest, Imamoglu posted online, stating, "The will of the people cannot be silenced."

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In a social media video, he vowed to "stand resolute" for the people of Turkey "and all who uphold democracy and justice worldwide"."I stand firm in my fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms," Imamoglu added.

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Protests have broken out across Turkey, including on the streets, university campuses, and subway stations, as people chant against the government. This level of public anger has not been seen in years.

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In Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, clashes have been reported between protesters and police. Footage from Reuters shows officers using pepper spray pellets to disperse crowds outside Istanbul University.

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The government has banned public gatherings in the city as part of a four-day restriction, but more demonstrations are expected across the country. Opposition leaders, including Ekrem Imamoglu's wife, are calling on people to "raise their voices."

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Authorities have also shut down several streets in Istanbul and suspended some metro services. Meanwhile, UK-based internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that Turkey has severely limited access to social media platforms like X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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The mayor's arrest is part of a larger crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and entertainers in recent months. Many people on social media are now expressing fears that Turkey is moving toward autocracy. Some are even calling for an election boycott, arguing that a fair and democratic vote is no longer possible.

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Imamoglu's party, the CHP, even condemned the arrests as "a coup against our next president," a sentiment widely echoed by pro-opposition voices.But Turkey's justice minister criticised those who linked Erdogan to the arrests.Yilmaz Tunc said it was "extremely dangerous and wrong" to suggest this was a political move, insisting that nobody was above the law in Turkey.

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Erdogan and his party have also denied the claims, insisting that Turkey's judiciary is independent. He has been in power for 22 years.Last year, Imamoglu won a second term as Istanbul's mayor, when his CHP party swept local elections there and in Ankara.It was the first time since Erdogan came to power that his party was defeated across the country at the ballot box.

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The elections were also a personal blow to the president, who grew up in and became mayor of Istanbul on his rise to power.Dozens of police officers were involved in the early-morning raid on Imamoglu's house in Turkey's largest city.The CHP's presidential candidate selection, in which Imamoglu is the only person running, is set to take place on Sunday.

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