Turkey

Turks call for release of those arrested

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Turkish protesters have gathered outside a court in Istanbul, calling for the release of demonstrators arrested in recent rallies against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The demonstration came on Monday, with protesters showing documents, asking the authorities to arrest them for participating in protests that have rocked the country for the past month.

“We would like to say that they should release the detained ones because this is our main right to protest anything we are against,” one protester said.

Demonstrations erupted in late May after police broke up a sit-in at Istanbul’s Taksim Square in protest against a proposal to demolish Gezi Park.

The violence turned into nationwide demonstrations against the ruling Justice and Development Party, with police using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

Erdogan, whose government is the main target of protests, has described the demonstrators as foreign-backed extremists and terrorists.

Several people have been killed and thousands more injured in the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. Hundreds of activists have also been arrested.

On Saturday, Turkish artists, journalists and authors placed full-page advertisements in several newspapers, calling on Erdogan to stop using divisive language.

“We are concerned. The ‘you vs. us’ rhetoric is sharpening the polarization of society,” the advertisement said, adding, “There is an air of frustration and hatred around.”

On June 24, Erdogan praised the “legendary heroism” of police forces in quelling anti-government protests.

“Our police have responded to attacks, provocations without violating the law … and have written a saga of heroism,” he said.

This came as Ankara has been widely criticized by human rights groups and its Western allies for using excessive force against protesters.

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