Thousands Protest In Turkey Over Istanbul Mayor's Conviction. Popular Rival To Erdogan Sentenced To 2 Years And 7 Months

Thousands protest in Turkey over Istanbul mayor's conviction in Istanbul © Thomson Reuters  

Reuters: Thousands protest in Turkey over Istanbul mayor's conviction 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Thousands of people rallied in Turkey on Thursday to oppose the conviction and political ban of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, chanting slogans criticising President Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party before elections next year.

A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced Imamoglu, a popular rival to Erdogan, to two years and seven months in prison, which like the ban must be confirmed by an appeals court.

The verdict drew wide criticism at home and abroad as an abuse of democracy. 

Late on Thursday, media reports said the prosecutor in the case had launched a legal challenge to the verdict, seeking a longer jail sentence for Imamoglu. No further details were immediately available. 

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Thousands Protest In Turkey Over Istanbul Mayor's Conviction  

Thousands protest against conviction of Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu -- Al Jazeera  

Turkish court gives Istanbul mayor prison term, politics ban -- AP 

Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu sentenced to jail over ‘fools’ insult -- The Guardian  

The Imamoglu dilemma: What next for Turkey's opposition? -- Middle East Eye  

How Turkey’s 2023 Presidential Race Could Get Complicated, Fast -- The Conversation

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