ANKARA, March 27. /TASS/. As many as 1,879 people were detained and 260 of them were arrested during protests against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
"The latest figures show that 260 of the 1,879 suspects detained in operations to suppress illegal demonstrations have been arrested by court order. The judge has implemented measures for the exercise of judicial control, including prohibitions on leaving the house, to another 124 suspects. Proceedings against them are ongoing. Unfortunately, 150 of our law enforcement officers have been injured," the minister said, his speech broadcast by local TV channels.
The protests had "threatened peace and stability in Turkey," Yerlikaya pointed out. "Our police were attacked with acid and Molotov cocktails. Moral standards have been violated. Justice is served in the courtroom, not on the streets. Is taking part in street marches and demonstrations a civil right? Yes, it is. But first of all, they should take place without weapons and aggression," the minister added.
Rallies in support of Imamoglu have been taking place in Turkey since March 19, when the mayor of Istanbul was detained on charges of corruption and ties to terrorism. The largest-scale demonstrations were held in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. The rallies often ended in clashes with police, with some of the most hostile demonstrators throwing stones, sticks, and firecrackers at the officers.