Key Highlights:

• Massive protests across Turkey triggered by the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
• Over 1,400 arrests reported, including many journalists and students, as tensions rise.
• Imamoglu nominated as the opposition presidential candidate for 2028 while in custody.

In a significant escalation of political unrest, Turkey is witnessing its largest protests in over a decade following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. His detention on March 19 for corruption and abuse allegations has ignited widespread demonstrations against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, viewed by many as a politically motivated move designed to sideline a strong rival.

Over the course of several nights, protests have erupted in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, as crowds of frustrated citizens demand justice and an end to Erdogan’s prolonged rule.

The protests, characterized by large and mostly peaceful gatherings of thousands, have turned contentious at times, with reports of police using tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators. Approximately 1,400 individuals have been detained, including students, journalists, and political activists.

The opposition’s Republican People’s Party (CHP) designated Imamoglu as its candidate for the upcoming 2028 presidential election during a symbolic vote while he remains imprisoned. The backing from over 15 million voters underscores Imamoglu's potential to challenge Erdogan’s dominance.

Critics assert that this wave of unrest reflects deeper accumulating grievances against the government, aimed not just at Imamoglu’s arrest but broader issues around human rights and democratic backsliding in Turkey. Amnesty International and various rights groups have condemned the government for its handling of the protests, calling for an end to police violence.

The political climate has rapidly deteriorated, with Erdogan dismissing the protests as 'evil' and expressing his firm stance against what he describes as an upheaval instigated by the opposition. As anti-government sentiment grows, CHP leaders continue to rally support, promising to challenge Erdogan's narrative of control and restore integrity within Turkish politics.

Recent history has shown the precarious balance in Turkish society; the massive demonstrations echo earlier protests, notably those following the Gezi Park incidents in 2013. As Turkey stands on this political precipice, the nation watches closely to see how the government will react, and whether the resilience of the populace will lead to substantive change.

For further updates, refer to the original articles from BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.