Thousands of supporters of the Turkish opposition, including the arrested mayor of Istanbul Ekram Imamoglu, arrived on Saturday evening to replace another protest in Turkey's largest metropolis. president Recep Tayyip Erdogan took the floor. "If you have the courage, let the courts judge," he said addressing opposition politicians.
In consequence to the call of the opposition Republican People's organization (CHP), from which he was detained on Wednesday Imamoglu, Thousands of people came to Sarachane Park located in the European part of Istanbul.
The crowd chanted: “To shoulder against fascism” and “We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal”, the first president of Turkey and founder of CHP. The speakers arriving were greeted with applause by passing residents of the city.
Thousands on the streets of Istanbul
Young people, among others, appeared at the demonstration National Action organization (MHP) – the far right coalitionist of the Justice and improvement organization (ACP) of Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Among the dominant youth were besides older people and even families with children. – Everything will be beautiful – the inhabitants of Istanbul repeat, quoting the election slogan of their mayor.
SEE: Mass protests in Turkey. About 300,000 people went to the streets of Istanbul
A large part of the protesters covered their faces with scarves, scarves, and hygiene masks, fearing that the police would evidence the manifestation and usage teardrop gas by safety forces.
Streets and subway stations were closed at many points of the city. Thousands of police officers control limited traffic in Istanbul and environment the venues of the largest assemblies.
Erdogan appeals to opposition politicians
Imamoglu Ekrem, the mayor of Istanbul of CHP, was detained on Wednesday in connection with allegations of corruption and ties to terrorism. The politician finished giving evidence at the police station on Saturday, and was transported to court for further questioning that evening.
SEE: It's boiling in Turkey. The detained mayor calls for a vote
The president of Turkey took the level on the events. – First they tried (Republic People's Party, CHP – ed.) to incite spiritual hatred in our country, utilizing attacks on alawites in Syria. Now, for 4 days, they have been doing everything to disrupt the peace of our nation and divide it," he said. Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the organized for the members of his Justice and improvement organization (AKP) of the iftar, i.e. the first Muslim meal after sunset during the Ramadan.
Emphasising that Turkey is simply a state of law, Erdogan addressed the largest opposition organization in the country, saying, “If you have the courage, let the courts judge.” “What are you afraid of, why the panic, the rush?” he asked the leader of the CHP Ozgur Ozel. The time to go out on the streets is over. In Turkey there is no and there will be no privileged minority, which is allowed to break the law," the president pointed out.
== sync, corrected by elderman ==
