**Imamoglu Faces Court as Protests Escalate Against His Arrest**

**Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu appeared in court for the first time since his arrest last month, igniting widespread protests and international concern over political freedoms in Turkey.**

Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent competitor to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has made his first court appearance since being arrested last month. Held in a high-security facility, Imamoglu faces accusations of corruption and terrorism, although he was presented in a separate case at Silivri jail, where he is charged with attempting to intimidate Istanbul's chief prosecutor.

His arrest has been condemned by the opposition, who label it a "coup attempt against our next president," and has sparked the largest anti-Erdogan demonstrations in over a decade. Addressing the court, Imamoglu stated, "I am here because I won elections three times in Istanbul," and attributed his imprisonment to defeating Erdogan's long-held notion that "Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey."

Supporters gathered outside the jail complex, asserting that Imamoglu's confinement is politically motivated. The Council of Europe has urged Turkish authorities to drop the charges against him and release him unconditionally. However, the government claims there is no political interference and maintains that the judiciary operates independently.

During a brief hearing, Imamoglu faced allegations of making threats toward Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Akin Gurlek, a former deputy justice minister under Erdogan. The next hearing in this case is set for June, while Imamoglu's original arrest involved accusations of running a criminal organization and extorting funds. Prosecutors are aiming for a potential prison sentence of up to seven years and four months related to these charges.

In recent days, protests have erupted across Istanbul, leading to around 2,000 arrests. As demonstrations continue, Imamoglu's wife, Dilek, has emerged as a vocal supporter, mobilizing crowds and participating in rallies against his detention. Opposition media has reported that several individuals were released on bail after protests against Imamoglu's arrest, further fueling claims of government efforts to silence dissent.

Critics argue that the government's actions aim to suppress opposition voices in the lead-up to potential national elections, although Presidential elections are not scheduled until 2028. Erdogan's ability to run for another term depends on parliamentary decisions regarding early elections. As the situation develops, concerns about democracy and freedom of the press in Turkey remain paramount.