Turkish Court Orders 47 Arrests Ahead of Gezi Anniversary Protest
Turkish Court Orders 47 Arrests Ahead of Gezi Anniversary Protest:
A Turkish court ordered the arrest of 47 suspects in the Gezi Park case on May 27, while the pioneers of last year’s protest called for a May 31 rally in Taksim to mark the anniversary of Turkey’s largest-ever civil uprising.
A total of 255 suspects, including seven foreigners, have been on trial since May 6 on charges ranging from “violating the Meeting and Rallies Law” to “resisting police” and “supporting a criminal.” Others who took refuge in Dolmabahçe Mosque on June 1-2, 2013, while running away from the police are accused of violating another law that bans people from dirtying a place of worship.
The 55th Criminal Court of First Instance in Istanbul heard the testimonies of 19 more suspects during the 10th hearing on May 27, raising the total number to 174. The court ordered the arrest of 47 suspects who had yet to defend themselves. Four plaintiffs who did not attend previous hearings will also be brought to testify by police.
