Story perspectives

Thousands Rally in Istanbul for Jailed Mayor Imamoglu

3/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Thousands of supporters gathered in Istanbul on March 18 to back Ekrem Imamoglu, the jailed mayor, marking one year since his arrest on corruption charges.
The event was organized by the Republican People's Party (CHP) amid a judicial crackdown.
Ozgur Ozel, CHP leader, accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of manipulating the courts to eliminate rivals and said elections present a democracy-versus-autocracy choice, with the CHP pledging to restore rule-of-law governance.

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Story summary

Thousands of supporters gathered in Istanbul on March 18 to back Ekrem Imamoglu, the jailed mayor, marking one year since his arrest on corruption charges.
The event was organized by the Republican People's Party (CHP) amid a judicial crackdown.
Ozgur Ozel, CHP leader, accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of manipulating the courts to eliminate rivals and said elections present a democracy-versus-autocracy choice, with the CHP pledging to restore rule-of-law governance.