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Mass Trials Begin for 189 Protesters in Turkey Following Mayor's Arrest

Defendants, including students and journalists, face charges after demonstrations over Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s jailing on corruption charges in March.

Turkish protesters hold signs reading, "The moms are here standing by their kids," in Istanbul on April 18.
People gather to protest outside Caglayan courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, April 18, 2025, during the hearing of dozens of people accused of attending banned demonstrations after the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Turkish citizens protest outside the Istanbul court on Friday, holding a sign reading, "We want justice for our children."
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside Caglayan courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, April 18, 2025, during the hearing of dozens of people accused of attending banned demonstrations after the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Overview

  • The first mass trials have started for 189 individuals arrested during protests triggered by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s March 19 detention on corruption charges.
  • Defendants, including students, journalists, and activists, face charges such as participating in banned protests, failing to disperse, and incitement to commit a crime.
  • Human Rights Watch condemned the trials as politically motivated, citing insufficient evidence and violations of democratic norms.
  • The Istanbul prosecutor's office plans to prosecute over 819 people in connection with the protests, which saw nearly 2,000 detentions and marked Turkey's largest demonstrations in over a decade.
  • Supporters, including families and opposition lawmakers, gathered outside the courthouse, demanding justice and denouncing the crackdown on dissent.