28 Sep 2018 | 09:25 AM UTC
Turkey: Protest in Istanbul over detained airport workers Sep. 28
Demonstration to be held in Istanbul on September 28 over detention of construction workers; associated disruptions possible
Event
Unions have called for a demonstration to be held in Istanbul on Friday, September 28, over the detention of construction workers employed at the Istanbul New Airport site. Participants will gather at the Disk Genel Merkez (trade union headquarters) at 13:00 (local time). A heightened security presence is anticipated, as well as localized traffic disruptions. Clashes between security forces and protesters are possible.
Context
A Turkish court ordered 24 workers to be placed in temporary detention on September 19, following protests held on September 24 to denounce working and living conditions at the airport construction site, as well as a number of related deaths. Thousands of people reportedly took part in the protests, which were broken up by riot police. These demonstrations continued throughout the following weekend.
Istanbul New Airport, located north of Istanbul in Arnavutköy district, will replace Istanbul Atatürk Airport and assume the IATA airport code IST. Once operational, it is expected to handle about 90 million passengers each year.
Advice
Individuals in Istanbul are advised to avoid all protests due to the risk of violence.
