ISTANBUL. – Istanbul-Armenian Alen Markaryan, who is the supporters’ leader of Beşiktaş J.K’s Çarşı Group, has been released. 

To note, Markaryan was detained recently as a result of an Istanbul police operation against several football club supporters. 

The Turkish Prosecutor’s Office sent 21 of the detainees to court, with a request for their arrest, whereas five others—including Markaryan—were released on the condition of undergoing judicial scrutiny, reports Milliyet daily of Turkey.      

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, numerous members—including leaders—of Istanbul’s Beşiktaş J.K., Galatasaray S.K., and Fenerbahçe S.K. supporters were detained in the morning on September 27. Among them was Istanbul-Armenian Alen Markaryan, the supporters’ leader of Beşiktaş’s Çarşı Group which is known for its active participation in anti-government demonstrations.

Alen Markaryan, who is born in 1966 in Istanbul, directs the Çarşı Group—which was founded in 1982—during the football and basketball matches of Beşiktaş. Çarşı Group is known for its unique shows during the matches.