Turkish protesters took to the streets for a sixth straight day on Tuesday, as several journalists were detained amid a large crackdown against dissent. The civil unrest in Turkey erupted after Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a main political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested on corruption charges last week. Imamoglu’s detention sparked protests, which were followed by a crackdown that has seen more than 1,400 people arrested. Among the journalists taken into custody was AFP photographer Yasin Akgul. The journalists were charged with “taking part in illegal rallies and marches,” though AFP said Akgul was “not part of the protest” but only covering it as a journalist. Thousands marched through the Sisli district of Istanbul on Tuesday, heading for the district’s municipal headquarters, demanding that the government resign. Protesters waved flags and banners with slogans reading “Tayyip resign!” while people in apartments above banged on pots and pans in support. Erdogan has accused the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) of provoking citizens and vowed that the opposition will feel ashamed for the “evil” done to the country once their “show” fades away. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel visited Imamoglu at Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, and said that Imamoglu and two other jailed CHP district mayors were “three lions inside, standing tall, with their heads held high, proud of themselves, their families, their colleagues, not afraid.” Ozel called on all Turkish people to join him at a mass rally for Saturday in Istanbul to support Imamoglu, object to his arrest, demand transparent, open trials, and call for early elections. The Saturday demonstration is expected to be held in the vast Maltepe grounds on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-jails-journalists-as-protesters-defy-crackdown/a-72038167?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf