150 Police Injured in Recent Protests, Says Minister Yerlikaya
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya addressed the recent fire disaster in Uludadağ, stating that the fire was quickly controlled and 12 staff members were safely evacuated from the hotel, with unfortunately 2 of them losing their lives and 1 citizen still undergoing treatment. The hotel had been closed since January 2, with no guests present during the fire.
In his statement, Minister Yerlikaya also mentioned operations in Istanbul where ambushes were set up targeting the nation’s brotherhood. He condemned the attacks on police officers and emphasized the importance of upholding justice through legal means rather than resorting to street violence. He warned against attempts to disrupt the rule of law through street actions and stated that facts cannot be obscured by provocative actions.
Regarding recent demonstrations, the Ministry shared that 96 percent of applications for meetings and marches were approved, questioning the true motives behind recent street actions. The Ministry criticized attempts to put employees of domestic and national brands in difficult situations through boycott calls.
In response to these events, a total of 879 individuals were detained, with 260 of them being arrested and 468 placed under judicial control. Operations on 662 suspects are ongoing, with 12 individuals linked to terrorist organizations among those detained. Additionally, 150 police officers were reported injured during these confrontations.
As a precautionary measure, holiday measures will be in place until April 8, with 69,011 staff members assigned to ensure the safety and security of the public during this period.
