A Turkish court has detained 7 journalists for covering the mass protests that erupted after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. So far, more than 1,400 people who took part in the demonstrations have been arrested. 

Among the journalists placed under arrest by an Istanbul court was AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who was seen being taken to prison.

The international press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the move as "scandalous".

Since 19 March, when a measure was taken against Imamoglu (President Recep Erdogan's main political opponent), huge crowds have taken to the streets daily, sparking nightly clashes with riot police across the country. 

As security forces used water cannons, pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters, the Council of Europe condemned the "disproportionate" use of force and Human Rights Watch warned that it was a "dark time for democracy" in Turkey.

Akgul, one of 10 journalists detained by police in surprise arrests on 24 March, was released on parole by the court earlier on 25 March along with six other journalists. 

Shortly afterwards, however, prosecutors reconsidered their decision and the court decided to keep them all in custody on grounds of participating in an "illegal" protest, his lawyer and human rights organisation MLSA said.  

"This is the first case in which a journalist who legitimised himself to the authorities in the course of his duties has been officially arrested on the basis of this law against assembly and demonstration," said Errol Onderoglu of the RSF after the Akgul ruling, which was the first to be announced. 

"This outrageous decision reflects a very serious situation in Turkey," Onderoglu added. | BGNES