Students and Journalists Stand Trial in Türkiye over Protests Sparked by Mayor's Arrest

People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
TT

Students and Journalists Stand Trial in Türkiye over Protests Sparked by Mayor's Arrest

People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)

Dozens of people including journalists appeared before a court in Istanbul on Friday, accused of attending banned demonstrations and disobeying police orders to disperse during anti-government protests that were triggered by the jailing of the city’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule, was arrested on March 19 and jailed days later on corruption charges, The Associated Press said.
His imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked nationwide protests. The government insists Türkiye’s judiciary is independent and that the courts operate independently.
A total of 189 defendants, most of them university students, began defending themselves over charges of participating in banned protests and non-compliance with orders to disperse. Some have also been charged with carrying arms.
Four photojournalists and three reporters who were covering the demonstrations were also on trial. The court, however, on Friday decided to separate their case from the main trial.
The defendants are among more than 2,000 people who were detained for taking part in the country’s largest mass demonstrations in more than a decade.
During the opening hearing, lawyers demanded acquittal for all 189 defendants.
Among them was Derin Doga Kus, a 23-year-old Istanbul University student, who was detained from her home on March 24 and released from jail last week along with dozens of other students. Their release followed concerted efforts by parents to have their children set free, with many holding daily vigils outside Silivri prison, west of Istanbul.
“I spent 18 days in the Silivri prison and was released a week ago today,” Dogakus said. “We all missed our exams. Some lost their jobs.”
“This is not a legal process. It is a process where the law is trampled on," she said.
Avni Gundogan, the father of another defendant, was among hundreds who gathered outside the courthouse in support of the students.
“They engaged in democratic, peaceful and legitimate activities. They exercised their constitutional rights, and their rights were violated,” Gundogan said. “We demand a verdict of acquittal for our children.”



EU Will Review Trade Deal with Israel, Kallas Says

Israeli army tanks are deployed at Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing war with Hamas, May 20, 2025. (dpa)
Israeli army tanks are deployed at Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing war with Hamas, May 20, 2025. (dpa)
TT

EU Will Review Trade Deal with Israel, Kallas Says

Israeli army tanks are deployed at Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing war with Hamas, May 20, 2025. (dpa)
Israeli army tanks are deployed at Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing war with Hamas, May 20, 2025. (dpa)

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said on Tuesday that there would be a review of the EU's trade agreement with Israel amid the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza.

International pressure on Israel has mounted in recent days as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has launched a renewed military offensive in Gaza.

Kallas said a "strong majority" of EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels favored such a review of the bloc's association agreement with Israel in the light of events in Gaza.

"The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The aid that Israel has allowed in is of course welcomed, but it's a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed," Kallas told reporters.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking in parliament, welcomed the EU decision and said 17 out of the 27 member states had backed the move.

EU sanctions on violent Israeli settlers have been prepared but have so far been blocked by one member state, Kallas said, without naming the country.