site.btaTurkish Cabinet Holds Meeting with Participation of President Erdogan amid Ongoing Protests

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is convening a cabinet meeting Monday amid the investigation against the arrested Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkish media report. The meeting is also expected to discuss the country's economic situation.

On Sunday, Erdogan highlighted the role of the judiciary, while also harshly criticising the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel for his calls for people to protest in the streets. The street to which he is calling is a dead end, the President said.

"If you have courage, let democracy and the law function. If you have courage, let the courts make their decisions on behalf of the Turkish people without any pressure," Erdogan also said. "Like it or not, no one is beyond the reach of the law. There is not and never will be a privileged minority in Turkiye that has the freedom to commit crimes," he added.

Monday's cabinet meeting is due to consider the consequences of the protests and, above all, the implications for public order.

A ban on rallies, media statements, marches, sit-ins and leaflet distribution is in force in Istanbul until March 26, and a similar measure has also been introduced in Izmir and Ankara. Despite the bans, protests continue in the country's major cities.