Turkish Police arrested 20 Protesters

Turkish police raid the houses of anti-government protesters in the capital Ankara, arresting at least 20 people.

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu agency said Tuesday that police searched some 30 addresses and detained 20 people linked to the anti-government protests over the past three weeks.

On Saturday, a court in the capital, Ankara, ordered the arrest of 22 protesters on charges of organizing the protests and engaging in violence. Nine others were also taken into custody on charges of damaging public property.

The authorities also accused the detainees of working on behalf of a far-left terrorist group, named the Communist Marxist-Leninist Party (MLKP).

On Friday, some 26 people appeared before a court in Ankara on charges of organizing the demonstrations against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Many countries and international organizations have expressed concern about the way the Turkish police have dealt with the anti-government protests.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has also expressed concern over the clashes between Turkish police and demonstrators, saying that officials and security forces responsible for the use of excessive force should be punished.

The unrest began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in held at the Taksim Square to protest against the proposal to demolish Gezi Park.

The protesters say Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is one of Istanbul’s last green public spaces.

Five people, including a police officer, have died in the clashes and more than 5,000 protesters and 600 police officers have been injured.