Istanbul's powerful mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, remained in police custody Thursday over graft and terror allegations after being held the day before, as his party called for more protests in Turkey's largest city.

Imamoglu is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival and his detention came just days before the party was expected to name him as its candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

Financial markets in Turkey fell shortly afterwards in what analysts said indicates investors' serious concerns that the move was politically motivated.

The leader of the main opposition CHP, of which the mayor is a member, is expected to address supporters outside Istanbul's City Hall at 1730 GMT on Thursday, a party spokesman told AFP.

University students also planned several demonstrations........

© Al Monitor