In a shocking turn of events, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem ?mamo?lu, a key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been arrested on charges of alleged involvement in a coup attempt. This move is seen as a blatant attempt to silence opposition voices and consolidate power within Erdogan's ruling party.

?mamo?lu, who won the mayoral election in Istanbul in a landslide victory against Erdogan's candidate, has been a thorn in the side of the Turkish president, challenging his authority and calling for greater transparency in government. The arrest comes after weeks of escalating tensions between the two political figures, with Erdogan accusing ?mamo?lu of inciting unrest and destabilizing the country.

Opposition leaders have decried the arrest as a clear abuse of power and a violation of democratic principles. The international community has also expressed concern over the erosion of democratic norms in Turkey under Erdogan's leadership.

As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of Istanbul's popular mayor remains uncertain. Erdogan's grip on power appears to be tightening, raising fears of further crackdowns on dissent and opposition voices in Turkey.