Turkish authorities detain pro-Palestinian protestors for demonstrating against Azerbaijani company SOCAR

Duvar English

Turkish police on Aug. 4 temporarily detained three members of the 1,000 Youth for Palestine Initiative protesting against the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) which supplies oil to Israel amid the ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

Pro-Palestinian protestors who were detained in Istanbul after their protest in front of the SOCAR’s building were charged with "damaging property," "deliberately endangering public security," and "violating law on protests." 

After their statements were taken at the prosecutor's office, they were released under judicial control measures on Aug. 4 after spending the night in detention.

The initiative made a statement on X and noted, “Zionist jets fueled by SOCAR's oil are killing thousands of Palestinians and devastating Gaza. The real security threat comes from the Zionist genocide perpetrators and their hypocritical collaborators. While genocide continues in Palestine, there is no rest for those who support Israel on these lands!”

1,000 Youth for Palestine has been calling for Turkish government to cut all ties with Israel.

The group have organized numerous protests in Istanbul, and many members were detained while five were arrested after their harsh criticism against Turkish government and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Following heightened public outcry, the Trade Ministry announced that Turkey fully halted all trade with Israel. Nonetheless, several major companies operating in the country have been known to continue their ties with Israeli entities.

SOCAR has been providing petrol to Israel via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and several government officials met with the company representatives amid ongoing protests even though the government has been portraying itself as pro-Palestinian.