Turkish court jails protesters over Erdogan speech disruption

ANKARA (Reuters) – A Turkish court has jailed pending trial nine protesters who disrupted President Tayyip Erdogan’s speech in Istanbul last week, accusing his government of continuing oil exports to Israel despite a publicised embargo.

The incident occurred during Erdogan’s televised address at a forum on Friday, where the protesters said the government was failing to uphold its pro-Palestinian rhetoric.

They chanted slogans such as “Ships are carrying bombs to Gaza” and “Stop fuelling genocide”.

Erdogan responded sharply.

“My child, don’t become the mouthpiece of Zionists here. No matter how much you try to provoke by acting as their voice, mouth, and eyes, you will not succeed,” he said.

“Zionists around the world know very well where Tayyip Erdogan stands. But it seems you still haven’t understood.”

Police removed the demonstrators from the event, and prosecutors charged them with insulting the president and participating in an illegal demonstration.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the group had coordinated their actions inside and outside the venue and sought their detention pending trial.

The arrests have drawn strong criticism from opposition politicians and rights advocates. Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel denounced the detentions as a blow to democracy.

“The decision to arrest nine young people who protested Tayyip Erdogan proves the grave situation our country’s democracy has fallen into,” Ozel said.

“These young people were exercising their right to free expression and should be released immediately.”

This post is originally published on INVESTING.

  • Related Posts

    Oil falls after Trump reverses Colombia sanctions threat

    By Anna Hirtenstein LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices wavered on Monday after the U.S. and Colombia reached a deal on deportations, reducing immediate concern over oil supply disruptions but keeping traders…

    Dollar gains on tariffs fears; euro looks to ECB meeting

    Investing.com – The US dollar slipped lower Monday, rebounding after recent losses as attention returned to the potential for trade tariffs from the Trump administration at the start of a…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Weekly Overview: MT4/MT5 Disruption in China, IG Group to exit South Africa, and More

    • May 31, 2025
    Weekly Overview: MT4/MT5 Disruption in China, IG Group to exit South Africa, and More

    Brokerage Firm OneRoyal Opens Oman Office in MENA Growth Push

    • May 30, 2025
    Brokerage Firm OneRoyal Opens Oman Office in MENA Growth Push

    What Is Causing the Global Silver Shortage in 2025?

    • May 30, 2025
    What Is Causing the Global Silver Shortage in 2025?

    Hyperinflation in 2025: What Currencies Are at Risk?

    • May 30, 2025
    Hyperinflation in 2025: What Currencies Are at Risk?

    Will the Petro-Yuan Replace the Petrodollar in the Middle East?

    • May 30, 2025
    Will the Petro-Yuan Replace the Petrodollar in the Middle East?

    XAU/USD: Elliott Wave Analysis and Forecast for 30.05.25 – 06.06.25

    • May 30, 2025
    XAU/USD: Elliott Wave Analysis and Forecast for 30.05.25 – 06.06.25