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The Consequences of Ekrem İmamoğlu's Arrest: Public Outrage and Market Turmoil
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Angry public reactions indicate that the Turkish opposition still maintains a strong popular base capable of challenging government policies

The Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's main opposition party, has called for more protests in Istanbul on Thursday, condemning the continued detention of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested on Wednesday on charges of "corruption and terrorism." This move has sparked widespread controversy in political and economic circles.
İmamoğlu is one of the prominent figures opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and is viewed as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
The CHP leader is set to participate in a mass rally in front of the Istanbul Municipality building this evening, while university students are preparing to organize protests across the city.
Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have imposed strict restrictions on gatherings until Sunday and limited access to social media platforms, drawing widespread criticism.
According to media reports, Turkish financial markets saw a significant decline following İmamoğlu's arrest, amid fears that the move against him could be politically motivated, aimed at sidelining him from the presidential race.
This escalation comes just days before the CHP is set to officially nominate İmamoğlu for the elections. At the same time, authorities have taken other steps that could hinder his candidacy, including the annulment of his university degree by Istanbul University, which could affect his legal eligibility to run under Turkey's constitution.
Despite the cold weather, thousands of protesters gathered on Wednesday evening in front of the Istanbul Municipality building, waving Turkish flags, in a scene reflecting the growing public anger over what opposition figures consider a political targeting of opposition leaders.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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