Turkish court rejects appeal to release Imamoglu as protests persist

ANKARA — Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s appeal for release was rejected by a Turkish court on Monday, as the key rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains behind bars for nearly 25 days.

Imamoglu, a presidential contender from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on March 19 and subsequently jailed on March 23 on corruption charges. He denies any wrongdoing.

Imamoglu’s lawyers appealed his arrest last week, claiming that there was no flight…