This is CBSI in the world.

I'm John Batshawish.

Sinan Chidi of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy.

And the last time I had an opportunity to speak with Mr. Chidi,

the mayor of Istanbul, a man named Imamulu,

who's been a prominent political actor for many years,

was detained and jailed by the Erdogan government for what appears to be extremely flimsy

at allegations.

However, I learned from the Financial Times London reporting in these last days that the Republican People's Party, which is Mr. Amolu's party, is going ahead with plans to sustain protests for the jailing.

And also, they have no plan to substitute for Imamulu.

He is the vote getter.

Where would you say this process is right now?

The arrest of him, Amolu was very dodgy, and there have been major protests.

Has Erdogan got this in hand, or is it perilous for him and for his reelection possibilities?

He's been in charge for 22 years.

Yeah, it doesn't look good for now.

In the last few days, his lawyer's request to essentially move him to, you know, to free him from pre-trial detention was rejected by the courts.

We also know that Imam alo basically, you know,

stood before the court for the first time to defend

a variety of spurious allegations against him.

And he was, and he seemed pretty, not he's seen,

but he was very defiant in front of the prosecutors

...