Fri Aug 15 18:08:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, formatted with a focus on an Indian perspective:
**Headline: Erdogan’s Government Intensifies Crackdown on Opposition in Turkey, Sparking Concerns Over Democracy**
**Istanbul, August 15, 2025 (The Hindu) -** In a move raising alarms about the state of democracy in Turkey, police arrested 44 people on Friday, including the mayor of Istanbul’s Beyoglu district and several close advisors. This latest wave of arrests, reportedly on corruption charges, is viewed by many as a continuation of a months-long crackdown targeting the main Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The situation is escalating with the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, considered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s biggest political rival, who was arrested in March and remains in jail. His arrest ignited widespread protests earlier this year.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel has condemned the arrests, accusing the government of “vengeance” to cover up the damage caused by Erdogan’s AKP party, which has been in power since 2022. Critics highlight the fact that the judiciary has yet to produce an indictment against Imamoglu, suggesting the charges are politically motivated.
This crackdown comes after the CHP’s significant victory in local elections in the spring of 2024, where they outperformed Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party. Analysts suggest the government is attempting to undermine the CHP, a development that could have major implications for Turkish politics. The Indian perspective on this news is shaped by India’s own commitment to democratic principles. Such actions raise concerns about the erosion of political opposition and the potential for authoritarianism, values that are crucial for a stable and equitable society.
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