FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The French Foreign Ministry has criticized the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, calling it an attack on democracy.
Large demonstrations erupted across Turkey in response, with protests in Ankara met by water cannons, authorities said.
Imamoglu, who was removed from office and taken into custody earlier Sunday, was accused of corruption.
Despite his detention, his party, the Republican People’s Party, overwhelmingly elected him as its presidential candidate.
The developments have intensified political tensions in Turkey amid concerns over democratic processes.