Turkish court detains AFP journalist as part of protests probe

ISTANBUL: A Turkish court detained Agence France-Presse photojournalist Yasin Akgul as part of an investigation into protests over the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, Turkey’s Journalists Union said on Tuesday.

According to the ruling document seen by Reuters, the court decided to keep Akgul in jail pending trial over the charge of attending illegal meetings and marches, and not dispersing voluntarily despite warnings.

Turkey detains 343 people over protests against mayor’s detention

Akgul and his lawyers said during their defence that he was covering the protests as a journalist and requested his release, according to the court document.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday that 1,418 people who took part in the nationwide protests had been detained since Wednesday, adding that 478 of them would face judicial authorities later in the day.

Tense protests grow in Turkey over Istanbul mayor’s detention

Meanwhile, many anti-government protesters said they were prepared for a long-term standoff after six nights of action and scattered clashes with police over the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, rejecting President Tayyip Erdogan’s claim that their “show” will fizzle out.