Canan Kaftancioglu

Kaftancioglu was elected as the Istanbul provincial chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP) on January 28, 2018. She became a prominent opposition figure, leading the party's campaign in Istanbul, a key political battleground.

Kaftancioglu was arrested on September 4, 2019, on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and insulting the president, related to her social media posts. Her arrest was widely seen as politically motivated, drawing domestic and international criticism.

Kaftancioglu was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in prison on March 9, 2021, for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government through the Gezi Park protests. The sentence was condemned by human rights organizations and foreign governments.

Kaftancioglu was released from prison on April 14, 2023, pending appeal, after serving over three years. Her release came ahead of the 2023 elections, but she remained under judicial restrictions, unable to engage in political activities.