16 minutes agoProtesters in Turkey face massive judgments following Imamoglu's arrest
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Turkey began mass trials Friday for the prosecution of around 189 people, including journalists, students and activists, who took part in demonstrations following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul Mayor and rival of President Erdogan. The trials were held in two packed rooms of the Caglayan Court in Istanbul. The defendants face [...]
The defendants face charges related to protests following Imamoglu's arrest on March 19th on corruption charges, a move that critics see as an attempt to oust a powerful rival of Erdogan.
Protest participants were detained by violence, and more than 1,400 people were arrested during the demonstrations, presenting one of the biggest challenges to Erdogan's power.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised these trials, describing them as politically motivated and stressing the lack of reliable evidence.
Trials have broken out a wave of protests, while supporters and parents seek justice for students who have been prosecuted, using symbols like balloons and calls for freedom of speech and education, broadcast CNN.
Also, a group of journalists who were arrested during the protests coverage were also present in court. A defence lawyer called for the removal of charges for journalists, calling them protected by the Constitution.
Punishments for protesters may range from six months to five years in prison, but in some cases evidence is insufficient. HRW has also criticised the way the protests were forced, citing the use of tear gas and water from police.
Critics of this situation view it as a warning to anyone seeking to exercise his rights for peaceful protests or free expression, stressing that Turkey has been under the supervision of the European Court of Human Rights for human rights violations since 2010. /Periscope
