‘No, We’ve Won’ Protesters Referred to Court for Arrest Released on Probation

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Two of the 16 people who were detained for running “No” campaign in the referendum and for joining “No” demonstrations staged in Kadıköy district of İstanbul in protest of the Supreme Election Board’s decision to count unsealed ballots valid and were referred to court for arrest, have been released on probation.

The 16 people including Abdurrahman Atalay, who ran “no” campaign in Beyoğlu, and Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) İstanbul Provincial Director Mesut Geçgel, were detained in an operation launched regarding the protests staged in Beşiktaş and Kadıköy on April 17.

According to a report by Özden Atik from Doğan News Agency (DHA), five people including Atalay, Hasan Güneri and Ümit Göksel were released following the questioning by the prosecutor’s office.

Of the protesters, S.G. and O.B.A were referred to court for arrest, and the other figures were referred to court for release on probation.

The protesters faced a charge of “Staging protest that advocates ‘yes’ is not legitimate and lashing people into a fury”.

Another operation was launched with the same reason in İzmir today (April 21). (AS/TK)