Calls by main opposition party leader 'irresponsible', say ministers, amid four-day ban on public gatherings

Turkey's government warned on March 21 against "illegal" calls from the main opposition for street protests over the detention of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, after thousands demonstrated across the country in the previous two days.

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ANKARA - Turkey's government warned on March 21 against "illegal" calls from the main opposition for street protests over the detention of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, after thousands demonstrated across the country in the previous two days.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 53 people were detained and 16 police officers injured in protests that began at university campuses, Istanbul municipal headquarters and elsewhere on March 20, triggering scattered clashes.

Mr Imamoglu, who is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival and leads him in some polls, was detained on March 19 facing charges including graft and aiding a terrorist group.

The mayor's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has condemned the move as politically motivated and urged people to lawfully demonstrate, while European leaders have criticised the detention as democratic backsliding.

Mr Yerlikaya and Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc criticised the calls for action from CHP leader Ozgur Ozel as "irresponsible" amid a four-day ban on public gatherings.