Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya made statements regarding the demonstrations in Saraçhane. Yerlikaya stated that 150 police officers were injured in the protests, which were organized in response to the corruption and terrorism investigations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), and announced that 1,879 people were detained and 260 were arrested. “A threat to the peace of our country occurred. They wanted to harm the unity of our nation. The place of justice is not the streets, but the courts,” he said.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, making a statement regarding the protests held in Saraçhane in response to the corruption and terrorism investigations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), announced that 150 police officers were injured during the demonstrations, 1,879 people were detained, and 260 of them were arrested.
Minister Yerlikaya said the following in his statement:
“Perception operations cannot change the truth. The Republic of Turkey, with its strong institutions, is a deeply rooted nation…” “It is democracy. Peaceful demonstrations are a democratic right, but armed and aggressive actions are never acceptable.”
“Are those stones, knives, and axes part of a democratic right? Is there any aspect of what happened in the recent events that can be explained by freedom?” “What do those who called for street protests think now? What is the aim of the boycott calls? Who gains anything by targeting Turkey in foreign media outlets?” “1,879 people were detained, 260 people were arrested. 468 people were subjected to judicial proceedings.” “Released on conditional bail, proceedings continue against 662 people.”
“Among those detained, 12 individuals with links to terrorist organizations were identified. It was also determined that there were individuals with criminal records for 17 different offenses, including drug offenses and intentional injury.”
