ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 21 (UPI) -- Police in Istanbul, Turkey, said they formally arrested 18 of 25 suspects who had been detained for their involvement in protests at Gezi Park in the city.
The suspects are members of the Socialist Platform of the Oppressed and the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party, Today's Zaman reported.
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Eighteen were charged with damaging public property, and with membership in a terrorist organization, police said.
The seven other detainees were released, Today's Zaman said.
The suspects had participated in protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans to demolish the park and construct a mall.
The protests led to nationwide demonstrations that ended with Erdogan ordering riot police to clear the park.
