Turkey detains nearly 1 900 people in protests over jailed mayor rejects international criticism

ISTANBUL - Turkey said on March 27 it rejected “prejudiced” international statements over the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the nationwide protests triggered by it, as the authorities detained nearly 1,900 people taking part in the demonstrations.

Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s biggest political rival who leads him in some polls, was jailed pending trial for graft on March 23. His arrest prompted the largest anti-government protests in a decade and led to mass arrests across the country.

Imamoglu’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP),other opposition parties, rights groups and Western powers have all said the case against the mayor – dismissed from his job due to the case – was a politicised effort to eliminate a potential electoral threat to Mr Erdogan.

The government denies any influence over the judiciary and says the courts are independent.

Speaking to international media representatives in Istanbul, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Ankara had asked its European partners to act with “common sense”, adding that the gravity of the allegations against Imamoglu required his arrest.

“We don’t want the arrest of any politician, but if there is evidence of a violation, then it can happen,” he said through a translator.

“If we look at the gravity of the allegations, and as there is risk that evidence can be concealed, the judiciary has made a reasonable decision,” he added.

The CHP has called on Turks to continue protesting, saying it would organise rallies and gatherings at different locations in Istanbul and elsewhere. Mr Erdogan has dismissed the protests as a “show” and warned of legal consequences for protesters.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 1,879 people had been detained since the protests erupted on March 19, adding that courts jailed 260 of them pending trial. He added that 489 were released, and