European Commission 'concerned' by detentions targeting Gezi protests' pioneers

BRUSSELS

The European Union's commissioner for enlargement, Stefan Füle, expressed concern and criticism over the detention of Taksim Solidarity Platform members.

The European Union's commissioner for enlargement, Stefan Füle, has expressed concern over the detention of Taksim Solidarity Platform members who were involved from the start of the Gezi Park protests.

"The European Commission is concerned at reports of the detention of members of Taksim Solidarity - and other members of the public wishing to exercise their right to free assembly - in Istanbul yesterday," Füle said in a statement issued July 9.

"It is not clear on what grounds the detentions have been made. We are closely following measures taken by the authorities in follow up to recent protests, and underline the importance of respect for fundamental freedoms," he added.

During yesterday's intervention, the police detained seven members of the platform, including Mücella Yapıcı, who had taken part in a delegation representing protesters that met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last month, as well as her daughter.

Yapıcı's address, along with eight others linked to the organization, were also searched by the police.

The platform which comprises over 100 non-governmental associations, said 48 people who are representatives and leaders of workers' groups were detained on July 8 "without legal basis" and just to "oppress their democratic movement."