Nine protesters have been jailed in Turkey pending trial after interrupting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech in Istanbul, accusing his government of hypocrisy over its stance on Israel. The incident occurred during a televised forum last Friday, where the demonstrators criticized Ankara for continuing oil exports to Israel despite its proclaimed embargo.
The protesters chanted slogans like “Ships are carrying bombs to Gaza” and “Stop fueling genocide,” accusing Erdogan of failing to uphold his pro-Palestinian rhetoric. In response, Erdogan dismissed their claims, stating, “Don’t become the mouthpiece of Zionists. No matter how much you provoke, you will not succeed. The world knows where Tayyip Erdogan stands.”
The demonstrators were removed from the venue by police, and prosecutors charged them with insulting the president and organizing an illegal protest. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that the group had coordinated their actions both inside and outside the forum, leading to their detention.
The arrests have sparked backlash from opposition leaders and human rights advocates. Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), condemned the detentions as a serious blow to democratic rights. “Arresting nine young people for exercising their right to free expression shows the dire state of democracy in our country,” Özel said, calling for their immediate release.
The case has ignited a broader debate on freedom of expression in Turkey, as critics argue that the government is increasingly cracking down on dissent.
