Turkey began mass trials on Friday, prosecuting around 189 individuals, including journalists, students, and activists, who participated in demonstrations following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent rival of President Erdogan. The trials were held in two packed courtrooms at the Caglayan Courthouse in Istanbul, Rks News reported.
The defendants face charges related to the protests that erupted after Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 on corruption allegations—an action critics say is an attempt to sideline one of Erdogan’s most formidable political challengers.
Protesters were violently detained, with more than 1,400 people arrested during the demonstrations, marking one of the largest challenges to Erdogan’s authority in recent years.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the trials, calling them politically motivated and pointing to the lack of credible evidence against many of the accused.
The trials have sparked another wave of protests, with supporters and parents of prosecuted students demanding justice. Demonstrators have used symbols like balloons and slogans calling for freedom of expression and education rights, according to CNN.
Several journalists who were arrested while covering the protests were also present in court. A defense attorney called for charges against them to be dropped, arguing that journalists are protected under the Constitution.
The protesters face potential prison sentences ranging from six months to five years, although in many cases, evidence is reportedly insufficient. HRW has also criticized the authorities’ heavy-handed crackdown, citing the use of tear gas and water cannons by police forces.
Critics warn this crackdown sends a chilling message to anyone seeking to exercise their rights to peaceful protest or free speech, emphasizing that Turkey has been under monitoring by the European Court of Human Rights for rights violations since 2010.
