THE UN today expressed his concern about mass arrests in Turkey In response to protest protests against the arrest of the popular mayor of Constantinople, he urged the authorities to investigate allegations of illegal use of force against protesters.
“We are very concerned about arresting at least 92 people by the authorities of Turkey during last week, including Ekrem Imoglu, the democratically elected Mayor of Constantinople,” Liz Throsel, a spokesman for the UK, said in a statement.
Following the arrest of Imamoglou, mass protests were held daily in Constantinople and other cities, and then riots were marked with the riot police.
More than 1,400 people have been arrested in relation to these demonstrations, Interior Minister Ali Gerlikaya said today.
“Demonstrations across the country were treated with a complete ban on three cities,” the UNHCRS said, stressing that “at least nine media workers” are among those arrested.
“All those arrested for the legal exercise of their rights must be released immediately and unconditionally,” he added.
Those who face charges should receive “fair proceedings and fair trial, including access to a lawyer of their choice,” he said.
The UNHCR calls on claims for illegal appeal by the police against the protesters to “be investigated quickly and thoroughly,” he said.