Brian's Empire KETurkey’s Erdogan continues crackdown on protesters following arrest of main rival on corruption charges
'The government has crossed the line that separates Turkey’s competitive authoritarian regime from a full, Russian-style autocracy,' analyst says
Turkish police pepper spray protesters in Istanbul
Police officers seen pepper spraying protesters as people gathered in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu near the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025. (Credit: Reuters)
Police officers use pepper spray on demonstrators during a protest on the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025. (Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters)
Some experts believe the move was orchestrated by Erdoğan to sideline the opposition, silence political dissent and increase his own power. (Turkish presidency/Reuters)
People gather outside the City Hall to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Francisco Seco/AP Photo)
