Femen Activists Face Jail Time In Turkey For 'Ban Erdogan' Protest

Topless Activists Face Jail Time In Turkey
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Two members of the women's movement Femen are facing jail time in Turkey for a protest against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to local reports.

The topless activists briefly disrupted municipal elections in March when they entered a polling station in Istanbul, where the prime minister was expected to vote. With "Ban Erdogan" written across their breasts, the two women stood on a table and yelled out the slogan to protest the criticized leader's reign.

The Femen members were arrested after the stunt and detained by Turkish police. Annie Assouan, 24, and 26-year-old Elvire Duvelle-Charles -- both reportedly French citizens -- are now facing between one and three years behind bars for the brazen public protest, an indictment reviewed by the Dogan News Agency said.

Inna Shevchenko, a Ukrainian activist and leader of the women's movement, shared the news on Twitter.

One of the activists, Duvelle-Charles, also took to the social network after the indictment was made public.

It has been more than a year since protests against Erdogan and the Turkish government broke out across the country. On the one-year anniversary of the nationwide demonstrations Saturday, Turkish police used tear gas on supporters of the opposition who had gathered in Istanbul and Ankara.

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Before You Go

May Day Clashes In Istanbul
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Turkish riot police use water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of20)
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Protesters throw petrol bombs toward riot police during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of20)
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Turkish riot police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of20)
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A Turkish protestor wearing a gas mask and a hard hat takes cover during clashes with riot police who prevent demonstrators from reaching Taksim Square in Istanbul for a May Day rally on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of20)
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A Turkish protester (L) runs for cover from a riot policeman during clashes that erupted as police tried to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of20)
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Turkish riot police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A protester takes aim at riot police with a flare gun during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A protester takes aim at riot police with a flare gun during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A protester takes aim at riot police with a slingshot during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters takes aim at riot police with a slingshot and a flare gun during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Turkish protester wearing a gas mask uses a slingshot during clashes with riot police who try to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A masked Turkish protester runs for cover as riot police fire tear gas to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Turkish protesters take cover behind trash containers as riot police fire tear gas to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Turkish protester wearing a gas mask throws back a tear gas canister that was fired by riot police to disperse a May Day rally in Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Turkish protester wearing a gas mask stands amid a fog of tear gas that was fired by riot police to disperse a May Day rally in Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Turkish policeman tries to remove a banner made of flowers reading 'First of May' as police try to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters wearing gas masks take cover during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Turkish riot police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Turkish protesters run for cover as riot police fire tear gas to disperse a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A police car is parked next to burning tyres during clashes between riot police and demonstrators that erupted after riot police dispersed a May Day rally near Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2014. (Photo credit: GURCAN OZTURK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)