Turkish court releases journalist as police suppress student protest

A Turkish court has freed AFP journalist Yasin Akgul, 35, along with six other reporters after their pre-trial detention was challenged. The journalists were arrested earlier this week for covering protests that erupted on March 19 following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They were charged with participating in illegal demonstrations and failing to disperse despite warnings.

Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by RSF, highlighting ongoing concerns over press restrictions.

Police Disperse Campus Protest

Meanwhile, in Ankara, security forces used pepper spray, plastic pellets, and water cannons to break up student demonstrations near Middle East Technical University. The protests, sparked by Imamoglu’s arrest on corruption charges—widely seen as politically motivated—have become the largest anti-government movement in over a decade.

Opposition lawmaker Melih Meric criticized the crackdown, stating that students were merely attempting to make a press statement. Officials have not disclosed the number of arrests.

Ozgur Ozel, leader of Imamoglu’s party, vowed lawmakers would stand with demonstrators and warned of mass mobilization if authorities continued their heavy-handed response. The interior ministry reported that at least 1,400 people had been detained in the first six days of protests.

Erdogan Accuses Opposition of Economic Destabilization

As protests spread across major cities, including Istanbul, Erdogan accused opposition leaders of undermining the economy by calling for boycotts against pro-government businesses. He warned that those responsible for financial instability would be held accountable.

Speaking from prison, Imamoglu condemned police brutality against demonstrators, stating that "honorable police would not commit such cruelty against the nation's youth." He remains the main opposition candidate for the 2028 presidential elections, although an earlier vote remains a possibility. His 2019 election as Istanbul mayor marked a major setback for Erdogan’s political dominance.