Istanbul – Dozens of people, including journalists, appeared before a court in Istanbul on Friday, accused of attending prohibited manifestations and disobey police orders to disperse during anti -government protests that were activated by the imprisoned from the mayor of the city’s opposition, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, Seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s challenger, he was arrested on March 19 and imprisoned days later for corruption charges.
His imprisonment has been widely seen as politically motivated and caused National protests. The Government insists that the Judicial Power of Türkiye is independent and that the courts operate independently.
A total of 189 accused, most of them university students, began to defend themselves about the positions of participating in prohibited protests and breach of the orders to disperse. Some have also been accused of wearing weapons.
Four photojournalists and three reporters who covered the demonstrations were also in trial. However, the Court decided on Friday to separate its case from the main trial.
The defendants are among more than 2,000 people arrested for taking the game in the largest mass demonstrations in the country in more than a decade.
During the opening hearing, lawyers demanded acquittal for all 189 accused.
Among them was Derin Dogakus, a 23 -year -old University of Istanbul, who was arrested from his home on March 24 and released from jail last week along with dozens of other students. Its launch followed the concerted efforts of the parents to free their children, and many kept daily vigils outside the Silivri prison, west of Istanbul.
“I spent 18 days in Silivri’s prison and was released a week ago today,” Dogakus said. “We all lost our exams. Some lost their jobs.”
“This is not a legal process. It is a process in which the law is trampled,” he said.
Avni Gundagan, the father of another defendant, was among hundreds who met outside the court in support of the students.
“They got involved in democratic, peaceful and legitimate activities. They exercised their constitutional rights and their rights were violated,” Guondogan said. “We demand a verdict of acquittal for our children.”
