ISTANBUL: Turkish police arrested about 30 people here yesterday after briefly detaining more than 1,000 in a widening crackdown after weeks of violent anti-government protests, lawyers and media reports said.
An Istanbul prosecutor also rejected the release of detained members of Taksim Solidarity, an umbrella group of activists including trade bodies, political parties and non-governmental organisations that helped organise the demonstrations.
Five people died and thousands were wounded during the protests, which began peacefully in late May over plans to redevelop an Istanbul park, but spiralled into a broader show of defiance against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
Police used tear gas and water cannon night after night in Istanbul, Ankara and other cities to try to disperse protesters angry at what they said was Erdogan’s growing authoritarianism.
The unrest represented the most serious public challenge to Erdogan in his decade in power and tarnished Turkey’s image for stability on the edge of the turbulent Middle East.
Police have accused Taksim Solidarity of disturbing public order by organising the protests. Local media said several student dormitories were targeted in Tuesday’s raids. “We understand that about 30 people have been detained today,” lawyer Hasan Kilic, a member of the Istanbul Bar Association board, said.
“In total, the bar association estimates 1,042 people were detained and that about 40 have been arrested, while the rest were released,” Kilic said. REUTERS
