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Russian news agency team claims Turkish law enforcement beat, pepper sprayed them
(MENAFN) RT correspondent Yasin Eken has accused Turkish riot police of beating and pepper-spraying him and his cameraman while they were covering protests in Istanbul on Sunday night. Eken described the officers’ actions as “unnecessary and uncivil.”
The incident occurred as Eken was reporting on demonstrations in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested last week on charges of corruption and terrorism.
In a video recorded after the altercation, Eken stated that police officers approached them without warning and used force despite their clearly visible press credentials. According to him, a group of officers ripped off his cameraman’s gas mask and press card before spraying him in the face and dragging him away.
“We were surrounded by some officers, and they tore off my cameraman’s mask. After that, they used tear gas on him. He was beaten and dragged away by five or six officers,” Eken recounted. When he tried to intervene, he said he was also assaulted.
“This wasn’t just intervention or self-defense—they deliberately beat us, knowing we were journalists,” he added.
Both Eken and his cameraman sustained injuries and requested medical attention. When Eken later confronted the officers, they attempted to justify their actions by claiming they had previously been attacked by protesters. However, he dismissed this explanation, emphasizing that journalists are there to report events objectively. He also confronted a police chief, who allegedly disregarded his complaint.
Sunday’s demonstration was part of ongoing unrest across Türkiye following Imamoglu’s arrest. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has organized nationwide protests, accusing the government of politically motivated prosecution and demanding his release.
Imamoglu, who is seen as a leading opposition candidate for the 2028 presidential election, was officially arrested on Sunday and suspended from his role as mayor.
Protests have erupted in multiple cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, with riot police deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that over 300 demonstrators had been detained by Sunday morning. Numerous injuries have also been reported, with videos circulating online showing violent clashes between police and protesters.
The incident occurred as Eken was reporting on demonstrations in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested last week on charges of corruption and terrorism.
In a video recorded after the altercation, Eken stated that police officers approached them without warning and used force despite their clearly visible press credentials. According to him, a group of officers ripped off his cameraman’s gas mask and press card before spraying him in the face and dragging him away.
“We were surrounded by some officers, and they tore off my cameraman’s mask. After that, they used tear gas on him. He was beaten and dragged away by five or six officers,” Eken recounted. When he tried to intervene, he said he was also assaulted.
“This wasn’t just intervention or self-defense—they deliberately beat us, knowing we were journalists,” he added.
Both Eken and his cameraman sustained injuries and requested medical attention. When Eken later confronted the officers, they attempted to justify their actions by claiming they had previously been attacked by protesters. However, he dismissed this explanation, emphasizing that journalists are there to report events objectively. He also confronted a police chief, who allegedly disregarded his complaint.
Sunday’s demonstration was part of ongoing unrest across Türkiye following Imamoglu’s arrest. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has organized nationwide protests, accusing the government of politically motivated prosecution and demanding his release.
Imamoglu, who is seen as a leading opposition candidate for the 2028 presidential election, was officially arrested on Sunday and suspended from his role as mayor.
Protests have erupted in multiple cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, with riot police deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that over 300 demonstrators had been detained by Sunday morning. Numerous injuries have also been reported, with videos circulating online showing violent clashes between police and protesters.
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