ISTANBUL, Nov 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A Turkish court on Friday acquitted 87 people accused of joining protests over the jailing of Istanbul's popular mayor in March, court documents obtained by AFP showed.

The defendants, mostly young people and students, were arrested in late March during a wave of protests in support of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Imamoglu is a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Because it was not proven that the defendants committed the alleged act, it was decided that each of the defendants be acquitted of the charge against them," the judge said during the hearing at Istanbul's main Caglayan court house.

The defendants' families welcomed the ruling.

"Once again, justice and youth have triumphed," the Velider association of parents and students said on X.

Turkish authorities cracked down on the protests, arresting nearly 2,000 people including students and journalists.

On Thursday, the court in Istanbul acquitted four journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, over their role in the mass protests.