During a protest in Istanbul on March 23, 2025, which erupted following the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, police officers use pepper spray against a demonstrator dressed in traditional dervish attire, an incident that became a symbol of the heightened tensions surrounding the entire nation. İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure and vocal critic of the ruling government, has long been considered an emblem of democratic reform in the country. Detained on March 19, 2025, he was arrested a few days later: his arrest sparked outrage among his supporters and triggered a wave of protests across Turkey. In numerous cities, demonstrations were organized, calling for his immediate release, while tensions escalated further due to clashes between police and protesters.