More than 1100 arrests in Turkey among the protesters
Police and demonstrators in Turkey continue to collide. During the protests against the imprisonment of opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu there were numerous arrests. There are also journalists among those arrested.
According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, 1,133 suspects were arrested in Turkey from 19 to 23 in Turkey. The Mpçs Association said that ten more journalists and photographers have been arrested.
The Turkish Disk-Basin media trade union said it was the government’s response to continued protests against the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from the Social Democratic Opposition Party. The union said this is « an attack on the freedom of the press and the right of people to learn the truth ».
123 injured police
Imamoglu is considered the most likely political challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was arrested Wednesday on charges of corruption and terrorism. This Sunday he was taken in custody and dismissed as the mayor of Istanbul.
In Istanbul, in the Turkish capital Ankara, but also in Izmir and other cities, protests against the arrest of the Imamoglu are continuing.
Despite the massive police presence of tens of thousands of people, they took to the streets to protest despite official detention.
In some cases, violent clashes between police and demonstrators are reported. Police used pressure water pumps and tear gas.
Attempt to eliminate a political opponent
Critics see the arrest of the Imamoglu as a government attempt to eliminate a political opponent of President Erdogan and consider the allegations as fabricated.
Ekrem Imamoglu may be an official candidate for president if the Turkish Electoral Commission YSK, which is considered a pro-government, confirms its candidacy. But if terror investigations have not been discontinued until the commission’s candidacy is considered, then this candidacy is unlikely to be accepted.
In addition to allegations of corruption and terrorism, Ekrem Imamoglu’s candidacy is also endangered by another action: he was revoked last week the University’s degree. This decision is not yet final. University degrees is a prerequisite to run for president in Turkey.
