35 People Detained During NATO Protest in Eskişehir Released

35 people, who were detained during an anti-NATO protest that took place yesterday evening in Eskişehir, were released after their procedures at the police department were completed. It was learned that the individuals earned the right to be released during the night after their statements were taken at the Provincial Police Department and legal processes were concluded. The incident caused a brief tension in the city but was quickly brought under control. The relatively limited number of detentions and the swift conclusion of the processes ensured that the incident was resolved without escalating. Authorities state that judicial and administrative investigations regarding the matter are ongoing.

The incident occurred yesterday evening around 18.30 in the Köprübaşı location on İki Eylül Caddesi. A group of protesters wanted to gather without a permit to organize an anti-NATO march and make a press statement. While the group's action preparations drew attention in the area, it emerged that the situation was rapidly reported to the security forces. A large number of police teams were dispatched to the scene in a short time. Security measures were comprehensively increased on the street where the activists gathered. It was observed that extensive measures were taken to prevent transportation in the area from being disrupted and to prevent possible chaos.

Before the march, police teams warned the group to disperse and end their action before intervening. The police reminded the group that gathering without a permit and organizing a march on the street is against the law, giving them time. However, as the protesters insisted on carrying out the action despite these warnings and refused to leave the area, the dimension of the situation changed. Authorities announced that all necessary warnings were made to ensure that unauthorized demonstrations do not disrupt public order. Upon the warnings yielding no results, the security forces decided to intervene using their legal authority.

Following the disregard of the warnings, the police teams launched a comprehensive intervention and enforced a dispersal order on the group conducting the anti-NATO action. After a brief scuffle, a total of 35 people were detained and taken into the cordon formed by the security forces. The detained individuals were taken from the event location to the Eskişehir İl Emniyet Müdürlüğü to be kept under observation and for their statements to be taken. During the process at the police department, the identity determinations, health checks, and statement procedures of the protesters were meticulously carried out. It was claimed that the detained individuals stated in their statements that the action was organized as a reaction against NATO policies.

The procedures at the police department for the 35 detained individuals continued throughout the night and were eventually completed. It was learned that during this process, the protesters' defenses were taken and their legal rights were notified to them. Following the conclusion of the statement processes, it was announced that a decision for their release was made and they were allowed to leave the police department during the night. This development also ensured that the tension experienced in the region came to an end with the night. While authorities emphasized that unauthorized actions are unacceptable, they stated that highway and street traffic returned to its normal flow.