President Recep Tayip Erdoan of Turkey has accused opposition politicians of “disturbing the peace of citizens with provocations – after a week of protests

Speaking on Monday, Erdoan said he believes that if the opposition had any respect left, they would be ashamed of the evil they were doing to the country.

Unrest began last Wednesday when Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu – an opponent of Erdogan – was detained on corruption charges

Imamoglu spent the night in jail on Sunday and said the charges against him were politically motivated – an allegation Erdoan denies

Fresh crowds have now gathered in Istanbul for a sixth consecutive day of protests

Earlier, the Turkish government said 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests started

Turkey’s presidential election is not scheduled until 2028 – with Imamoglu confirmed today as the Republican People’s Party (CPH)’s candidate, after a symbolic primary vote

 

News Edited by Oni Kayode Philips