Turkey Protests: Trial of Nearly 200 Opens Amidst Ongoing Crackdown

Nearly 200 individuals face charges following protests against the Turkish government, igniting widespread calls for justice and democratic action.

A significant trial commenced in Istanbul for nearly 200 defendants arrested during protests against the Turkish government, triggered by the controversial detention of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on corruption charges. The protests erupted on March 19 and primarily involved students, with 189 defendants represented in this initial trial at the Caglayan courthouse.

Most defendants are students, while eight are journalists accused of participating in illegal protests, violating laws against assembling and dispersing despite police warnings. This event marks the first trial stemming from a series of large-scale demonstrations, with the Istanbul prosecutor's office indicating that a total of 819 individuals are expected to be prosecuted across 20 separate cases. Human Rights Watch estimates that the potential penalties for these accusations could be between six months to five years of imprisonment.

An Istanbul University student, who participated in the protests and spent 20 days in jail, expressed hope for an acquittal, stating, "I hope they will turn back from this shame as soon as possible and decide today to acquit everyone." Another second-year student from Mimar Sinan University expressed defiance, asserting, "We have no fear, we are not the ones who should be afraid."

Reports from the Parents Solidarity Network indicate that while most arrested were recently released, around 50 students remain in custody. PSN member Avni Gündoğan emphasized his belief in the legitimacy of the students' actions, describing them as peaceful and democratic efforts to advocate for a free Turkey. The father of arrested student Yağmur Gündoğan vowed continued support, stating, "We want justice and a fair trial for our children."

Journalists, including Yasin Akgül from AFP, were also detained and face similar accusations of participating in unauthorized gatherings. Their lawyer sought acquittal based on their role as reporters, although the request was denied. The Turkish Journalists Union confirmed that the cases against the journalists had been separated from those of the students.

İmamoğlu’s detention is perceived by many as a politically motivated action by President Erdoğan, who faces substantial opposition. Despite the Istanbul governorship's prohibition on demonstrations, protests have attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, with police detaining nearly 2,000 individuals since the unrest began.