Police use tear gas on group supporting KESK members before trial

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

The group was sat in front of the courthouse building ahead of the trial of 56 KESK members. DHA Photo

Istanbul police used tear gas against a group of people trying to hold a sit in protest in front of Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse in support of 56 members of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) who were being tried inside.

The group was sat in front of the courthouse building ahead of the trial of 56 KESK members, 29 of whom are pending trial under arrest, on charges of being members of an illegal organization.

The group resisted dispersal despite being affected by the tear gas. After the intervention, the police allowed the group to make a statement.

KESK head Lami Özgen called for the release of the KESK members, who were detained on Feb. 19, 2013, and added that union activities were being cited as illegal activities in the indictment.