Interior Minister Yerlikaya's statement on 'protests'! How many people were detained?

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the number of people detained during the 5-day protests in his latest post on his X account.

1,133 DETAINED IN 5 DAYS

Yerlikaya stated, "1,133 suspects were detained during the illegal actions carried out between March 19 and March 23, 2025. Among those captured, individuals linked to 12 different terrorist organizations have been identified."

Minister Yerlikaya further added, "We are issuing a clear warning here: No one should attempt to use our youth or our people as a shield for their own political ambitions. No one can pay the price for this, not only politically but also LEGALLY."

Anayasa’mızın 34. Maddesi: “Herkes önceden izin almadan, SİLAHSIZ ve SALDIRISIZ toplantı ve gösteri yürüyüşü düzenleme hakkına sahiptir.

Toplantı ve gösteri yürüyüşü hakkı ancak, millî güvenlik, kamu düzeni, suç işlenmesinin önlenmesi, genel sağlığın ve genel ahlâkın veya…

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) March 24, 2025

In his post, Yerlikaya included the following statements:

Article 34 of our Constitution: “Everyone has the right to organize unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission. 

The right to hold meetings and demonstration marches can only be restricted by law for the purposes of national security, public order, prevention of crime, protection of public health and public morals, or the rights and freedoms of others. The forms, conditions, and procedures to be applied in the exercise of the right to hold meetings and demonstration marches are indicated in the law.’’ (Law No. 2911)

However, in recent days, certain circles have been attempting to disrupt public order by exploiting the right to hold meetings and demonstration marches, and attacking our police by inciting street incidents. Such actions are aimed at disrupting the peace and security of our people.

123 of our police officers have been injured in the demonstrations. Acid, stones, sticks, fireworks, Molotov cocktails, axes, and knives were seized during these actions. Legal proceedings are ongoing against those who attack our police, damage public property, and threaten the safety of our people. 1,133 suspects were detained during the illegal actions carried out between March 19 and March 23, 2025. Among those captured, individuals linked to 12 different terrorist organizations have been identified. 

Furthermore, it has been determined that the detained individuals have criminal records for 17 different crimes, including 'Drug Trafficking', 'Theft', 'Fraud', 'Sexual Harassment/Abuse', and 'Intentional Injury'. We are issuing a clear warning here: No one should attempt to use our youth or our people as a shield for their own political ambitions. No one can pay the price for this, not only politically but also LEGALLY!

We are on duty, as always, to ensure peace and security. The terrorizing of our streets and the threatening of our nation's peace and security will absolutely not be tolerated. We invite our citizens to be cautious against such provocations and to act with common sense.

News Source: 12punto