ANKARA, July 15 (RAPSI) -  Cases concerning 15 protesters detained during a police raid of the protest in Gezi Park have been forwarded to the Izmir court.

The arrests occurred on July 12 at 16 locations in four Turkish cities – Izmir, Balikesir, Manisa and Bursa (western Turkey). Hurriyet Daily News has reported that the detainees have been charged with damaging public property and buildings, as well as involvement with terrorist organizations.

These include not only the banned extremist organization Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, but also the Communist Workers Party of Turkey, the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party and the Maoist Communist Party.

Previously, 42 protesters were detained during three police operations in the Izmir province. Five were later released.

The riots, which began as a protest of government policy, have continued in Turkey since last month. Triggered by a rally in support of Gezi Park in Istanbul, the protest led to five deaths and minor and major injuries. The tension relaxed when Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, began.   However, rallies still occur regularly across the country.