ISTANBUL, March 24. /TASS/. Police in Istanbul detained about 100 demonstrators outside City Hall protesting the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Sunday, the NTV TV channel reported.
The police used tear gas to disperse the participants of the protest after its conclusion, the TV channel said, citing law enforcement agencies. No information on the number of people injured has been provided.
Turkish authorities banned mass gatherings in Istanbul between March 19-27. Despite this, the opposition holds daily protests in different areas of the Turkish capital, mainly in Sarachane Park near Istanbul City Hall. The largest of rallies took place on March 22. According to the opposition, about one million people participated in the protest.
Earlier reports indicated that the criminal court in Istanbul issued a preventive arrest order for Imamoglu on corruption charges. In addition, dozens of other people were detained, including several senior officials from his office. Some suspects have been released under judicial control or on the condition of not leaving the country. In total, 92 individuals are involved in corruption and terrorism cases.
The decision is not final. Imamoglu and other detainees have the right to appeal the detention order within two weeks. If the court rejects the appeal, the defendants can further challenge the decision in a higher body, including the Constitutional Court.