Thousands find themselves in Turkey for protests after more than 1400 arrests

Thousands of people in Turkey have been the seventh night of protests, which has so far seen more than 1400 people, including students, journalists and lawyers.

The night excitement began last Wednesday when the mayor of the city Ekrem Imamoglu – who is regarded as the main political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – has been arrested on accusations of corruptionS

The rights and the UN groups condemned the arrests and the use of force by police on protesters.

Imamoglu said the allegations against him were politically motivated, a claim that the Turkish president denied.

Speaking to a group of young people of rapidly destructive food in Ramadan in Ankara on Tuesday, President Erdogan called on patience and common sense against the background of what he described as “very sensitive days.”

He added that people who want to “turn this country into a chaos, there is nowhere to go” and protesters on the road have taken on is a “dead end”.

On Tuesday evening, thousands of students from many universities in Istanbul met at Machka Park and then headed for şişli.

Istanbul authorities have banned protests and closed some paths to “maintain public order” and “prevent any provocative actions that may occur.”

As the students passed through the Nisantasi area, they chanted “The Government, resign!” And they waved flags and banners until they were observed by a large departmental deployment for riots.

Many students had faces covered with scarves or masks and admitted that they were afraid to be identified by police.

The main opposition party of Turkey, the Republican People's Party (CHP), said that the rally on Tuesday outside Istanbul mayoralty will be his last night gathering – and that he is planning a rally in the city on Saturday.

“Are you ready for a big rally on a big square in Istanbul on Saturday?” Ozgur was said to the crowds.

“To support Imamoglu, to object to his arrest, to object to the detention of each of our mayors. To ask for transparent, open, lively trials, to say that we had enough and we want early elections.”

As of last Wednesday, the Minister of Interior of Turkey said 1418 protesters were detained after the days of demonstrations, which the government considers “illegal”.

Publishing on social media Ali Jerlikaya writes: “While there are currently 979 suspects in custody, 478 people will be brought to court today.

“No discounts will be made to those trying to terrorize the streets, attack our national and moral values ​​and our police officers.”

Other places on Tuesday, seven journalists appeared in court, including AFP Yasin Akgül, which covered the demonstrations.

AFP chairman Fritis Fris wrote a letter addressed to the Turkish Presidency calling on Erdogan to “intervene” in the Akgul prison, which he described as “unacceptable”.

“Yasin Akgul was not part of the protest,” Fris said. “As a journalist, he covers one of the many demonstrations that have been organized in the country since Wednesday, March 19th.

“He has taken exactly 187 photos from the beginning of the protests, each witnessing his work as a journalist.”

In Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed “concerns” after a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, said a statement from the US State Department.

Imamoglu was one of more than 100 people detained last week as part of an investigation. Other arrested included politicians, journalists and businessmen.

His arrest does not prevent his candidacy or election as president, but he will not be able to run if he is convicted of any of the charges against him.

The mayor of the opposition has been regarded as one of Erdogan's most terrible rivals, who has held a position in Turkey for 22 years as Prime Minister and President.

Erdogan's term of office is due to expire in 2028 and under these rules he cannot withstand again – but he can call early elections or try to change the constitution to allow him to remain in power for a long time.

Turkey's Ministry of Justice criticizes those who associate Erdogan with arrests and demanded his judicial independence.