The UK Foreign Office has issued a fresh warning to people planning to visit, or are already in, a popular holiday hotspot as furious protests erupt. Widespread demonstrations broke out across Turkey following the arrest of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival, Ekrem Imamoglu, who has been charged with "establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender".

The mayor of Istanbul, who was detained on Wednesday last week, had been due to be selected as the Republican People's Party's (CHP) 2028 presidential nominee in a vote on Sunday, but was formally arrested the same day in a move widely condemned as politically motivated. The opposition leader voiced this belief in a post on X just before being remanded in custody, vowing: "I will never bow." Government officials reject the accusations and insist that the country's courts operate independently.

Imamoglu was among more than 100 people, including journalists and other politicians detained on Wednesday as part of an investigation.

İstanbul University also revoked his degree, alleging irregularities, which could preclude him from a presidential bid as a degree in higher education is a prerequisite for competing in elections under the Turkish Constitution.

His lawyers have vowed to appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

Fierce demonstrations followed his detention, with protestors reportedly fired upon with tear gas and rubber bullets. A total of 1,133 people have been detained since Imamoglu was detained, with more than 120 police officers injured, according to a government official.

Imamoglu is regarded as one of Erdogan's most formidable rivals, and his arrest has renewed concerns about democratic freedoms in the country.

Erdogan has held office in Turkey for more than two decades as both prime minister and president but, due to term limits, can't run for another term unless the constitution is changed.  

In response to the unrest, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) alerted travellers on March 24 about ongoing demonstrations and protests in Istanbul and other Turkish cities.

The travel advisory body cautioned that "demonstrations may become violent". It added: "The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons."

It advised people in the country to:

• monitor local media
• plan ahead to avoid disruption
• avoid crowds and demonstrations

You can find the latest FCDO advice for travellers here.