The Istanbul prosecutor asked a higher court to consider shutting down mayor Imamoglu's main opposition Republican People's Party
U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as a potential mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, praising his influence with world leaders and personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This comes even as India has time and again reiterated its stand on Kashmir, saying that the only issues on which talks with Pakistan will take place are terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
NATO member Turkey has in recent years significantly reduced its dependence on external suppliers of defence equipment.
The pardon comes a week after Erdogan met with main opposition party leader Ozgur Ozel, who raised the issue of clemency. Ozel's pro-secular Republican People's Party swept local elections in March.
Erdogan's comments threatened to both disappoint and worry Swedish and NATO officials.