Summary

Turkey witnessed massive anti-government protests, the largest in a decade, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges, coinciding with his presidential nomination.

Authorities responded with a crackdown, arresting over 1,100 people, including journalists, and requesting X to block hundreds of accounts.

The government deployed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators, while the interior minister defended the actions as necessary to maintain public order.

Economists highlighted the financial strain of propping up the lira, and media freedom advocates criticized the censorship efforts, including X’s compliance in blocking accounts.