UN 'very concerned' at detentions in Turkey, urges probe

GENEVA — The UN voiced alarm on Tuesday at detentions in Turkey amid demonstrations over the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, urging Turkish authorities to probe alleged unlawful use of force against protestors.

"We are very concerned by the detention of at least 92 people by the Turkish authorities over the past week," United Nations rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell said in a statement.

She highlighted in particular the March 19 arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's mayor, who is facing corruption charges and has been removed from office.

More than 1,400 people have been arrested in connection with the mass protests, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday.

A Turkish court on Tuesday remanded in custody seven journalists for covering the protests, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who was seen being escorted away to jail.

The UN rights office, she added, wanted allegations of unlawful use of force by police against protesters be "promptly and thoroughly investigated".

The governor of Ankara on Tuesday said he was extending the ban on any form of protest in the Turkish capital until April 1. 

The ban would be in place "until 23:59 on April 1", the statement said.