Turkish court arrests 9 protestors for disrupting President Erdoğan's speech

A Turkish court has arrested nine protestors who interrupted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and demonstrated outside of the convention center he was speaking at. The protestors criticized the country's ongoing trade relations with Israel despite officially announcing an embargo.

Monday December 02 2024 08:55 pm

Duvar English

A Turkish court on Dec. 2 arrested nine protesters who disrupted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s speech, criticizing Turkey’s continued trade with Israel.

Protesters on Nov. 29 shouted as Erdoğan was speaking on Israel’s attacks on Palestine, “Our ships are carrying bombs to Gaza.” 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.

Evidence cited included slogans such as, “Ships to Gaza, not Haifa,” “Why is the Ship of Conscience not allowed?” and “Zionists and their ships freely operate in our country.”

The nine protesters were detained on November 29 and held at an Istanbul police station, had their detention extended by one day on Saturday. After completing their testimonies on Dec. 1, they were transferred to the prosecutor’s office on Dec. 2.

The nine individuals were referred to court with a request for arrest. The court ordered all nine to be arrested.

(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)