Erdoğan dismantles political opposition and cultural venues in Turkey (faz.net)

• CHP leader Özgür Özel removed by court order, replaced by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
• Ekrem İmamoğlu remains in pretrial detention since March 2025 after diploma annulled.
• Massive police raid in Kadıköy netted 107 arrests; mega-mosque planned despite existing nearby mosques.

"Turkish President Erdoğan escalates pressure on political opponents and cultural institutions. After annulling CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma and his arrest in March 2025, a court has now deposed CHP leader Özgür Özel. Meanwhile, cultural districts in Istanbul are targeted: a raid in Kadıköy led to 107 arrests, and a mega-mosque is planned. Polls show a potential new opposition party eight points ahead of Erdoğan."