"There are no more places in prisons," says opposition leader in Turkey

Mass protests in Turkey continue following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political opponent.

The opposition and citizens see this arrest as a clear violation of the rule of law, while Turkish authorities have responded with harsh measures, including the arrest of nearly 1500 people and the suppression of protests.

The leader of the main opposition CHP party, Ozgur Ozel, has warned that prisons in Istanbul are overcrowded with political prisoners.

"There is no more room in prisons, but that will not stop us," he told protesters in Saraçhane, in front of Istanbul's city hall, where demonstrators gather every evening.

The opposition has said the pressure will not ease and Ozel has warned of a large protest on Saturday in Istanbul, calling it "the biggest referendum in nature".

Demonstrations have spread to other cities across the country, despite a ban on gatherings.

While authorities insist that the Turkish justice system is independent, the opposition and international organizations, including the United Nations and the Council of Europe, sharply criticize the crackdown on opponents and the "excessive use of force" against demonstrators.

Thousands of people continue to take to the streets, chanting anti-government slogans and demanding justice. Police use water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the gatherings, but that doesn't stop new crowds gathering every evening. /Telegraph/