Tens of thousands have protested across Turkey after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the BBC reports.
In response to his arrest, the country's worst riots in more than a decade broke out on the evening of March 23. Protesters were fired at with tear gas and rubber bullets. President Recep Erdogan condemned the demonstrations and accused Imamoglu's party of trying to disrupt the peace in the country.
Crowds of people gathered near Istanbul's city hall for the fifth consecutive night. Police used water cannon and pepper spray against the demonstrators. Protests were held in at least 55 of Turkey's 81 provinces.
Ekrem İmamoğlu was one of more than 100 people, including other politicians, journalists and businessmen, detained as part of an investigation earlier this month. The mayor of Istanbul was charged with corruption and leading a criminal group. The court ordered him to remain in custody until his trial begins. İmamoğlu was also removed from his post as mayor of Istanbul.
On social media, İmamoğlu described his arrest as a "black mark on our democracy" and stressed that judicial procedure had not been followed. He called on people across the country to join the protests.
The arrest does not prevent İmamoğlu from running for and being elected president, but if he is convicted of any of the charges against him, he will not be able to run. Imamoglu is considered one of the biggest rivals of Erdogan, who has held the post of president for 22 years.