Key Takeaways:

• Protests in Turkey erupted after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, leading to nearly 1,900 detentions nationwide.
• International bodies and rights groups have criticized the Turkish government's response, calling it a political maneuver aimed at quashing opposition.
• The ongoing unrest showcases a strong public outcry against alleged judicial bias and government repression of dissent.
• The protests are marked by significant clashes with police, despite calls for peaceful demonstrations and widespread condemnation of police violence.

Turkey is currently witnessing widespread protests following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. The mayor, viewed as a significant political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been accused of graft, a move many believe is politically motivated, especially as it follows Imamoglu's selection as a candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. In the wake of his detention, protesters have been vocal in demanding his release and calling for governmental accountability, with nationwide demonstrations erupting daily.

By the most recent count, Turkish authorities have detained nearly 1,900 individuals for participating in the protests, according to the Interior Minister, who also reported that over 150 police officers sustained injuries during clashes. Media coverage has captured ongoing unrest in key cities, especially around Istanbul, where protesters have faced increasingly violent crackdowns from riot police utilizing tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

In Sarachane Square, the atmosphere has been charged, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Imamoglu and voicing broader grievances against the Erdogan administration. This has been coupled with responses from the government, as Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc defended the judiciary’s independence and dismissed international criticisms as "prejudiced," asserting that the legal actions taken against Imamoglu were justified based on the gravity of the allegations and the necessity of preventing evidence tampering.

Witnesses have noted varying sentiments within the city; while areas predominantly supporting Imamoglu's Republican People's Party (CHP) show significant activity, other districts remain relatively quiet, reflecting a divided public. Some citizens have voiced concern over the government’s focus on opposition politicians, questioning the fairness of justice meted out in such high-profile cases. Supporters of the government, however, maintain that any legal action taken against Imamoglu is a necessary step to uphold democracy.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the government's actions. They have demanded an independent investigation into police violence against peaceful demonstrators and urged that protests be respected by authorities. The Council of Europe has also raised alarms over the excessive use of force and the implications for freedom of expression within Turkey As protests continue through both the urban centers and online, the Turkish government has indicated it would respond firmly to any perceived threat to stability.

As the situation evolves, Imamoglu's supporters see him as an emblem of change amidst a lengthy period of governance by Erdogan's administration, while the latter encourages a view of these protests as disruptive and politically charged. With a deepening crisis regarding civil rights and judicial fairness, the coming days will be crucial in determining the immediate future of both the protests and the political landscape in Turkey.

For ongoing updates and detailed coverage, refer to the original articles from Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.