People gather to stage a demonstration in support of Uyghurs in Bursa, Turkey on December 20, 2019 [Ali Atmaca / Anadolu Agency] People gather to stage a demonstration in support of Uyghur Turks against human rights violations of China, at Orhangazi Park in Bursa, Turkey on December 20, 2019 [Ali Atmaca / Anadolu Agency] Thousands take part in a ‘silent scream’ demonstration against China’s persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, at Fatih Mosque on 20 December 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey [İslam Yakut/Anadolu Agency]

Thousands of protesters marched in support of China’s Uyghurs in Istanbul on Friday and voiced solidarity with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil after the furore caused by his criticism of China’s policies toward the Muslim minority, reports Reuters.

Last week, the football star Ozil, a German Muslim of Turkish origin, posted messages on social media calling minority Uyghurs “warriors who resist persecution” and criticised both China’s crackdown and the silence of Muslims in response.

Members of Istanbul crowd held up banners reading “Stop the cruelty” and chanted “Murderer China, get out of East Turkestan” and “East Turkestan is not alone”, using the name that Uyghurs exiles use for Xinjiang.

The United Nations and human rights groups estimate that between 1 million and 2 million people, mostly ethnic Uyghurs Muslims, have been detained in harsh conditions in Xinjiang as part of what Beijing calls an anti-terrorism campaign.

China has repeatedly denied any mistreatment of Uyghurs and its foreign ministry said Ozil had been deceived by “fake news”.

Read: China invites Arsenal’s Ozil to visit Uyghur region

People gather to stage a demonstration in support of Uyghur Turks against human rights violations of China, at Orhangazi Park in Bursa, Turkey on December 20, 2019 [Ali Atmaca / Anadolu Agency] Thousands take part in a ‘silent scream’ demonstration against China’s persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, at Fatih Mosque on December 20, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey [İslam Yakut / Anadolu Agency] Thousands take part in a ‘silent scream’ demonstration against China’s persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, at Fatih Mosque on December 20, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey [İslam Yakut / Anadolu Agency] A drone photo shows thousands begin to gather at Fatih Mosque to attend ‘silent scream’ demonstration against China’s persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, on December 20, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey [Muhammed Enes Yıldırım / Anadolu Agency] People gather to stage a demonstration in support of Uyghur Turks against human rights violations of China, at Orhangazi Park in Bursa, Turkey on 20 December 2019 [Ali Atmaca / Anadolu Agency] People gather to stage a demonstration in support of Uyghur Turks against human rights violations of China, in Duzce, Turkey on December 20, 2019 [Ömer Ürer / Anadolu Agency]

Adem Adil, a protester marching with the crowd, said:

Mesut Ozil’s honorable behaviour inspired us… Everybody should raise their voice against this tyrant like Mesut did.

Turkey has in the past expressed concern about the situation in Xinjiang, including in February at the UN Human Rights Council, but has not commented over the Ozil affair.

At the Kuala Lumpur summit on Thursday, a question from the audience on the treatment of Uyghurs was ignored after it was put to a dais that included Erdogan, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Last Saturday, club Arsenal tried to distance itself from his comments, saying it always adhered to the principle of not being involved in politics.

Ozil has received support from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who defended the player’s right to express his opinion.

Read: Mesut Ozil deleted from computer game in China