DEVELOPING: Turkey's President Accused of Crushing Dissent Amid Growing Backlash

BREAKING NEWS Turkey's President Accused of Crushing Dissent Amid Growing Backlash ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing mounting criticism for allegedly silencing opposition and crushing dissent, as hundreds of politicians and activists are arrested on trumped-up charges. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival to Erdogan, was behind bars in a high-security prison complex when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul on April 23, leaving him unable to respond to the crisis. Imamoglu denies corruption charges, which his supporters claim are baseless and aimed at silencing opposition. Since October, over 500 people linked to the main opposition party have been arrested, sparking concerns about Erdogan's authoritarian grip on power. Many of those imprisoned were peaceful protesters or critics of the government. The arrests come as Turkey prepares for presidential elections due by 2028, with Imamoglu seen as a major threat to Erdogan's re-election bid. The crackdown has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and international observers. This is a developing story, with further updates expected in the coming hours. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*