April 19, 2025
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
Nearly 2,000 people have been detained recently
Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential challenger to President Erdogan, was detained on charges such as graft and aiding a terrorist group
Tensions could further rise during the weekend when a court is expected to rule to formally arrest the mayor
The Istanbul mayor faces charges of corruption, and aiding a terrorist group
The government denies accusations and restricts gatherings
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
