In Istanbul, weekly protests are being held by young supporters of the opposition CHP party, demanding the release of Ekrem Imamoglu, the city's mayor and a key rival to President Erdogan. Imamoglu has been imprisoned for over four months on corruption charges and was recently sentenced to 20 months in jail, sparking the largest protests in Turkey in over a decade. His arrest and the broader crackdown on CHP officials — over 15 mayors and hundreds of staff have been detained — are widely seen as politically motivated.

Critics argue that the judiciary has been politicized to serve Erdogan's agenda, aiming to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2028 elections. Imamoglu had been a strong contender to challenge Erdogan’s long-standing rule. The government denies political interference, claiming judicial independence, but Erdogan has publicly accused CHP members of corruption.

CHP leaders and political analysts warn that Turkey is drifting toward authoritarianism, with opposition voices increasingly silenced. Young activists like Erdener Isik say they are fighting for democracy and a future where real political choice exists, even though they face growing pressure and uncertainty.

(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)