Summary
The Turkish government says 1,133 people have been arrested in five days of protests across the country
It says people have been "abusing" the right to protest, and warns that "terrorising the streets" will not be tolerated
Protests began when Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - an opponent of President Erdogan - was detained on Wednesday on corruption charges
Imamoglu says the charges are politically motivated, something Erdogan denies
Turkey's presidential election is not scheduled until 2028 - Imamoglu was on Monday confirmed as his party's candidate, after a symbolic primary vote
Imamoglu spent Sunday night in jail, and is due to face trial
Drone footage shows thousands at protests against the arrest of Istanbul's mayor
Who is Ekrem Imamoglu?
Cagil Kasapoglu
BBC World ServiceREUTERSIstanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters in Istanbul in this photo from late January
Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is one of the country's most popular politicians.
A leading figure in the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and mayor of the country's most populous city, the 54-year-old has long been seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's most formidable rival.
He stunned Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) when he retained control over Istanbul in last year's municipality elections, winning a second successive mandate in Turkey's largest city.
Many political commentators in Turkey have referred to this as "Erdogan's worst defeat ever".
Imamoglu named as official CHP candidate despite arrest
Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), named Ekrem Imamoglu as its official candidate for the 2028 presidential election - despite his arrest.
The decision follows a symbolic vote on Sunday - in which the leader of the CHP says nearly 15 million people participated - but there are still big questions for Imamoglu.
For a start he is now in jail, having been formally arrested and charged with corruption. Imamoglu has denied the allegations and said they are politically motivated.
On top of that, Istanbul University earlier announced it was revoking Imamoglu's degree due to alleged irregularities.
If upheld, this would put his ability to run as president into doubt, since the Turkish constitution says presidents must have completed higher education to hold office. Imamoglu's lawyers say they will appeal the decision.
EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCKCHP leader Ozgur Ozel was pictured voting during the presidential primaries for the only candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, on Sunday
Tensions flare in Turkey on fifth night of protests
As we have reported, the Turkish interior minister has warned protesters against attempting to "disrupt public order".
The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, however tensions appeared further inflamed last night, with reports of clashes between police and protesters in Istanbul.
Demonstrators were seen waving Turkish flags and chanting in front of a row of riot police, who, in turn, used cannons, tear gas and pepper spray to break up demonstrations - some of which is captured in the images below:
REUTERSEPAEPAAt least 10 journalists detained across Turkey
At least 10 journalists have been detained in the cities of Istanbul and Izmir during dawn raids by Turkish police.
The news is being reported by Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), a non-profit organisation, and news agencies.
While the AFP news agency reports that among the 10 arrested is one of its photographer who was arrested in his home.
Turkish government issues 'clear warning' to protestors
We can bring you a bit more now from the statement Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya issued on social media.
Citing the Turkish constitution, he claims the protests over the last five days have "abused" the right to demonstrate, accusing protestors of "attempting to disrupt public order, inciting street events and attacking our police".
"Such actions are aimed at disrupting the peace and security of our people," he adds.
"We are clearly warning you from here: Let no one try to use our youth and our people as a shield for their own political ambitions."
The statement follows clashes between police and protestors in Istanbul yesterday evening. Prior to that, the demonstrations had been largely peaceful.
More than 1,100 detained over protests, interior minister says
BREAKINGTurkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, says a total of 1,133 have been detained since these protests in Turkey began last week.
"The terrorization of our streets and the threat to the peace and security of our nation will absolutely not be tolerated," he says in a lengthy post.
Our colleagues in Turkey are working on bringing us a sense of what the country and its people are feeling today - which we'll then bring you. Stay tuned.
Remind me, what's been happening in Turkey?
REUTERSTens of thousands of protesters have taken part in demonstrations across Turkey after the main rival to the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was detained.
Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was one of more than 100 people, including other politicians, journalists and businessmen, detained as part of an investigation last week. He was then arrested and formally charged with corruption, which he's described as being politically motivated - something Erdogan denies.
It comes as Imamoglu was confirmed over the weekend as the Republican People's Party's (CHP) presidential nominee for the country's next major election - scheduled for 2028.
In response to his arrest, last night saw a ramping up of the worst unrest the country has seen in more than a decade - with protesters fired upon with tear gas and rubber bullets. You can see footage of that in our last post.
Many have taken to the streets across Turkey in largely peaceful demonstrations since Imamoglu's detention on Wednesday. More than 700 arrests have been made since the protests began, according to Turkish authorities.
Watch: Turkish police use pepper spray on protesters
Last night, police and protestors clashed in cities across Turkey following the imprisonment of Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival.
Here's some footage of the scenes from Sunday - including police using pepper spray to control the crowds.
In Turkey, tensions are high after opposition leader spends night in jail
Barbara Tasch
Live reporterTensions remain high in Turkey, following the detainment of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival and the protests that have ensued across the country in response.
Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, is currently being held in prison on corruption charges - which he describes as being politically motivated.
Sunday saw a ramping up of the worst unrest in the country for more than a decade, with protesters being fired at with tear gas and rubber bullets. Such demonstrations are expected to continue across the country after hundreds of thousands of people defied a ban to take to the streets over the weekend.
And just a few hours ago, Turkish police detained several politicians, lawyers and journalists in dawn raids in Istanbul and the city of Izmir.
Stay with us as we bring you the latest news and analysis.
The election may be three years away, but the clash has already started
Tom Joyner
Live reporterREUTERSAfter days of political drama in Turkey, tensions are running high.
It all started on Wednesday with the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor. By Sunday, he was in detention, awaiting trial on corruption charges.
The next presidential election is still three years away, but a major showdown is already taking shape.
On one side is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accused by critics of trying to silence a political rival.
On the other, his jailed challenger, Ekrem Imamoglu, a hugely popular mayor seen by many as a future leader - although questions remain over his ability to run.
“He is a significant threat to President Erdogan,” Turkey analyst Steven A Cook tells the BBC.
Across the country, thousands have defied orders to stay home, clashing with police in support of the mayor.
In Istanbul, emotions are running especially high.
“This is oppression,” said Mevlüde Karataş outside court.
Another supporter said: "We are maybe living the most important days of our democracy in the last 100 years."
That’s all from our live coverage today. You can read more here.
'You cannot suppress the voice of the people', says opposition leader
EPAThe leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has been posting on X after the government requested a ban on hundreds of accounts on the social media platform.
"Today they are trying to suppress social media," Ozgur Ozel writes. "Accept it now Mr. Tayyip [President Erdogan], you cannot suppress the voice of the people."
"I congratulate the [X] administration for its democratic and liberal attitude and hope that it will continue this attitude with courage," Ozel adds.
Justice minister insists judicial investigation not political
GETTY IMAGESEarlier today, Turkey's justice minister has spoken about the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, saying it's wrong to call the judicial investigation a "political investigation".
"Drawing legal evaluations to political grounds may cause false perceptions in the public opinion and also constitutes a violation of the principle of the Rule of Law," Yilmaz Tunc says.
He adds that justice is only served by independent and impartial judicial authorities that make decisions on behalf of the Turkish nation.
Watch: Thousands of protesters take to the streets
We're now showing you a drone clip with footage from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
You can see the huge scale of the protest tonight.
Thousands protest after Istanbul mayor arrested
Imamoglu's arrest made him more popular - analyst
REUTERSThere’s no credible basis for the corruption charges against Ekrem Imamoglu, says Steven A. Cook, a Turkey analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations.
He tells the BBC there’s a "stunning irony" to the charges, as President Erdogan himself has faced allegations of "massive corruption" for the past decade.
Cook says Imamoglu’s arrest and detention this week have only made an already popular politician even more so.
"He is a significant threat to President Erdogan," Cook says, adding that with a "pliable" judiciary willing to follow Erdogan’s agenda and no independent press, there are few checks and balances left.
"What we're seeing right now with hundreds of thousands of Turks in the streets is really the only check on President Erdogan's power."
Supporters call Imamoglu's arrest 'oppression'
Earlier today, supporters of Imamoglu gathered outside Istanbul's Çağlayan courthouse.
The opposition candidate appeared there yesterday before being moved to a prison outside the city.
"I am incredibly scared right now," Mevlüde Karataş told the Reuters news agency. "We have already seen formal arrests have started. This is oppression."
REUTERSAnother Imamoglu supporter, Cumali, who gave only his first name, said after recent events he felt too restless to stay at home.
"I think a lot of Turkey is this way," he said. "We are maybe living the most important days of our democracy in the last 100 years."
REUTERSCHP names Imamoglu 'our candidate for president'
REUTERSTurkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has named Ekrem Imamoglu as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
The decision follows a symbolic vote today.
Just an hour ago, the CHP shared a photo of Imamoglu on X with the caption, "our candidate for president".
But there are still big questions for Imamoglu.
For a start, he is now in jail, having been formally arrested and charged with corruption - Imamoglu has denied the allegations and said they are politically motivated.
On top of that, after Istanbul University revoked his degree over "irregularities", he may no longer meet the requirement under Turkey's constitution for presidential candidates to have a higher education qualification.
Imamoglu's lawyers said they would appeal the decision to revoke his degree to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
The Supreme Election Council will decide whether Imamoglu is qualified to be a candidate.
Opposition says early election 'inevitable' as 15 million people reportedly voted
Nassim Hatam
BBC TurkishREUTERSThe leader of the main opposition CHP, Ozgur Ozel, says nearly 15 million people have voted today in a symbolic primary to choose the party’s presidential candidate.
Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested today and sent to prison on corruption charges, was the only candidate.
Speaking at a rally in Istanbul, Ozel said about 1.6 million of these votes came from party members, while the rest were cast in solidarity.
The CHP set up two types of ballot boxes – official ones for members and additional ones for non-members wanting to show support against Imamoglu’s arrest.
The BBC cannot independently verify these figures.
Ballot boxes were placed across Turkey and in several countries to help decide the party’s 2028 presidential candidate. The winner still needs to be confirmed through an official process.
Ozel said the votes showed an early election was “inevitable”.
From prison, Imamoglu told his lawyers he was “very happy” with the “record turnout” and that the results showed people had said “enough” to Erdogan.
Ekrem Imamoglu's broad appeal
Cagil Kasapoglu
BBC World ServiceEPAImamoglu is known for taking off his jacket and tie at rallies
During his political campaigns, Imamoglu has been praised for his soft, humorous approach to politics, which contrasts with that of many rivals in Turkey's polarised political landscape.
Broadening the CHP's secular base, he has managed to appeal to some of Turkey's more pious, conservative voters, who had traditionally voted for the AK, by including visits to mosques in his election campaigns and recently announcing the restoration of a historic mosque in Istanbul's popular Karakoy district.
His wife Dilek Imamoglu has also become a popular figure with her active presence on social media, involvement in charity work for the disabled people and appearances alongside her husband during his campaign.
The main opposition's primary election was scheduled for today (23 March), at which Imamoglu had been expected to be chosen as its candidate for the 2028 presidential vote.
But his arrest, and the annulment of his Istanbul University degree due to alleged irregularities, has put his candidacy in doubt.
According to the Turkish constitution, presidents must have completed higher education to hold office.
In pictures: Turkish protests continue overnight
As we've been reporting, thousands of people have again been taking to the streets of Turkey tonight following a fifth day of protests.
Here are some of the latest images we've seen from Istanbul:
EPAA protester wearing a traditional whirling dervish costume gestures in front of Turkish riot police
EPAProtesters carry flags bearing the image of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of the Turkish republic, as they try to march to Taksim Square in central Istanbul
EPAA protester holds up a sign reading "my clothes are cleaner than Erdogan" in front of a row of riot police
EPAThe moment a protester proposed to his girlfriend amid the demonstrations earlier
X objects to Turkey's call to block over 700 accounts
Tom Joyner
Live reporterGETTY IMAGESIn a statement posted on X's Global Government Affairs account, the social media company says it objects to "multiple court orders" from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts belonging to news organisations, journalists, political figures and students.
"We believe this decision from the Turkish government is not only unlawful, it hinders millions of Turkish users from news and political discourse in their country," it reads.
X says it will be challenging the block requests in court, and adds that it "will always defend freedom of speech everywhere we operate".
Ahead of Turkey's last presidential election in 2023, Human Rights Watch warned social media platforms that reject government demands could face hefty fines or bandwidth restrictions "that would render their platforms effectively unusable in Turkey".
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