Landmark Trial Begins for Nearly 200 Protesters in Turkey

Nearly 200 people, mostly students and journalists, face trial in Istanbul following protests triggered by the arrest of opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Charges include participation in illegal gatherings amid heightened tensions, raising concerns about democracy in Turkey.

A trial of about 200 individuals arrested during recent protests against the Turkish government has commenced in Istanbul. The demonstrators, predominantly students, took to the streets starting on March 19, following the detention of Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges, which he denies.

The defendants, totaling 189, were arraigned at the Caglayan courthouse on Friday, facing charges related to illegal protests and resisting dispersal following police warnings. This marks the initial trial connected to the demonstrations, with the Istanbul prosecutor's office revealing plans to prosecute a total of 819 people across 20 investigations. According to Human Rights Watch, penalties for the charges could range from six months to five years in prison.

One student from Istanbul University, who participated in the Saraçhane protests and spent 20 days in jail, expressed hope for the swift acquittal of all defendants. Another second-year student from Mimar Sinan University conveyed, "We have no fear, we are not the ones who should be afraid."

The Parents Solidarity Network (PSN), formed by families of the arrested, reported that most detainees have been released in recent days, leaving around 50 students still in custody. PSN member Avni Gündoğan stated before the hearings, “Our children were involved in a democratic, peaceful and legitimate action, they fought for this country to be a free and democratic country.”

Among those on trial are eight journalists, including Yasin Akgül from AFP. They face charges of participating in unauthorized protests. During the proceedings, defense attorney Veysel Ok requested the journalists be acquitted, arguing they were reporting rather than participating in the protests; however, this was denied by the court. The Turkish Journalists Union announced via social media that the charges against the journalists would be handled separately from those of the students.

İmamoğlu, regarded as a potential presidential contender for the 2028 elections, has become a focal point in the political discord, with many supporters deeming his arrest politically motivated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Despite a formal ban on gatherings by the Istanbul governorship, massive protests have persisted, leading to police detaining nearly 2,000 individuals, most of whom are university students.