Duvar English
A Turkish court on Nov. 6 released nine people from jail who were arrested four days ago for protesting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and disrupting his speech.
Accordingly, protestors shouted as Erdoğan was speaking on Israel’s attacks on Palestine, “Our ships are carrying bombs to Gaza” during an event on Nov. 29. In response, Erdoğan said, “Do not be the mouthpiece of Zionists here.”
During the speech, security forces detained nine people, including two who disrupted the event and five protesting outside the conference center with slogans demanding the suspension of trade with Israel.
Authorities accused the activists of violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations and “insulting the president.”
They were arrested on Nov. 2.
Upon an objection by their lawyers, the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of Peace on Nov. 6 released nine people after they spent four days in jail.
During their time in jail, they were reportedly subjected to torture, such as battering, spending 16 hours without drinking and eating, and the intervention to some of their headscarves. General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, affiliated to the Justice Ministry, suspended three prison officers after the allegations.
Despite announcing cutting all imports and exports with Israel due to the “worsening tragedy” in Gaza back in May, some reports and journalists accuse Turkey of continuing trade relations with Israel.
