Thousands protested outside Istanbul's city hall against the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, seen as a politically motivated move to eliminate a rival to President Erdoğan. İmamoğlu faces corruption and terror-related charges, with concerns over democracy rising amid government crackdowns. His arrest occurred just before he was expected to be nominated as the CHP's presidential candidate, and he faces multiple legal challenges that could bar him from running for office.