Turkey Weekly 23 – 30 June 2025
Turkey Today – 30.06.2025
A group of 39 people, who want to meet Abdullah Öcalan, will come to Turkey from Europe and hold process-orientated meetings.
Police prevented the 23rd İstanbul Pride March in İstanbul’s Beşiktaş district, detaining at least 55 individuals, including four journalists and six lawyers.
The sentence of Kerim Boran, an 81-year-old seriously ill prisoner in Edirne F-Type Closed Prison, was cancelled by the decision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Boran was released from Metris Prison.
In today’s hearing of the case in which 12 prisoners were murdered in the operation called ‘Operation Return to Life’ on 19 December 2000 in Istanbul Bayrampaşa Prison, no verdict was reached. The lawyers of the case demanded that retired major Zeki Bingöl be heard.
6 female prisoners who celebrated Newroz in Van T Type Closed Prison were sentenced to solitary confinement and visit ban on the grounds of creating ‘fear and panic’.
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Turkey Today – 29.06.2025
The Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled that the right to life was not violated in the case of 17 year old Rozerin Cukur, who was shot during a curfew in the Sur district of Diyarbakır.
The Association of Southeastern Journalists held an extraordinary statute convention in Diyarbakır and decided to leave the Federation of Journalists of Turkey, which has been on the agenda with racist discourses against Kurds.
DEM Party Children’s Commission organised a conference on ‘Children in Conflict Resolution Processes’.
DEM Party MP Cengiz Çiçek said, ‘The entire legal order is shelved when it comes to Kurds and Öcalan.’
Making a statement on the forest fires in Sakarya and Manisa, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that 17 people were detained in connection with the fires.
Turkey Today – 28.06.2025
Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality organised ‘Conference on Peace and Democratic Society for the Disabled’.
The Press Centre of the People’s Defence Forces stated that Turkey’s attacks against the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continue.
Prisoner Mahsum Yüksekbağ, who has an aneurysm in his brain, cannot be treated because he refuses surgery in the infirmary.
The Court of Appeal overturned the verdict of the local court, stating that the police officers who tortured a 14-year-old boy at Lice Newroz were sentenced without ‘discretionary discount’.
At their 1057th vigil against enforced disappearances in state custody, the Saturday Mothers remembered five Kurdish villagers who were abducted and murdered by the military in Şirnex in 1993 – without prosecution to this day.
Turkey Today – 27.06.2025
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration and announced that 5 regions in Beytüşşebap district were declared as “speacial security zones” and banned for 9 days.
The European Union Delegation to Turkey has issued a statement rejecting recent media reports that claimed EU funds were misused in an İstanbul metro construction project.
Seriously ill prisoner Ergin Aktaş, who was not released on the grounds that he ‘may pose a danger’ despite the Forensic Medicine Institution’s six reports that he ‘cannot stay in prison’, was given the report ‘cannot stay in prison’ for the 7th time.
The Health Ministry has introduced new restrictions limiting access to hormone medications used in gender-affirming treatment for individuals under the age of 21.
Turkey Today – 26.06.2025
DEM Party İmralı Delegation members Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar had a meeting with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.
Mesopotamia Agency reporter Zeynep Durgut, who uncovered the “Prostitution Gang” in Şırnak, was threatened by the family of Kenan Tatar, who is on trial as the perpetrator in the case.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) stated that it has decided to terminate the access block it had previously imposed on news broadcaster DW Turkish.
RTÜK announced that Halk TV was given a 10-day broadcast suspension on the grounds of ‘inciting the public to hatred and hostility’.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry has issued a regulation allowing tourism investments on coastal zones traditionally protected by constitutional and environmental laws.
Turkey Today – 25.06.2025
The reasoned decision of the Kobani Case, in which HDP former Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş was sentenced to 42 years in prison and Figen Yüksekdağ to 30 years and 3 months, has been announced.
Four members of the Youth Assembly of the DEM Party were detained in Diyarbakır.
President Erdoğan announced that they will meet with the DEM Party again.
Seriously ill prisoner Sıddık Güler, 85, held in İskenderun T-Type Closed Prison, was referred to Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) one month after the prosecutor’s decision.
Turkey Today – 24.06.2025
DEM Party group deputy chairpersons met with Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç. During the meeting, solutions to the problematic practices in prisons were discussed.
Human Rights Association and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey made a statement saying that torture is still a systematic practice.
Four people were detained within the scope of the investigation against CHP Didim Municipality.
Speaker of the Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş came together with the former Speakers of the Parliament and exchanged ideas on the work of the Parliament in the upcoming period and the ongoing process in the context of the Kurdish issue.
The meeting of the Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and the Deputy Group Chairmen of the political parties started with the commission agenda.
Making statements at the airport before the NATO summit, President Erdoğan said, ‘We are determined to make this process, which we carry out as a state policy, a success.’
Human Rights Association Co-Chair Eren Keskin emphasized the importance of inclusive democratic reforms in the current peace process in Turkey. She stated, “A democratic constitution must be created where all identities in this region can express themselves and be represented.”
X has blocked the account of @KaosGL, one of Turkey’s oldest LGBTI+ rights groups, within the country amid Pride Month.
The request for discovery and photography was rejected in the hearing of 5 prisoners who were charged with ‘damaging public property’ for damaging fences in prison.
Turkey Today – 23.06.2025
DEM Party Deputy Group Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit announced that Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş invited the parties to the Parliament for the planned establishment of a commission.
DEM Party Group Deputy Chairpersons Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit and Sezai Temelli will meet with Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç tomorrow.
Lawyers made a statement at Istanbul Courthouse against the pressure on defence. Lawyers who wanted to march to Istanbul Bar Association were prevented by police blockade.
DEM Party MP Newroz Uysal Aslan submitted a report on rights violations in Bolu Prison to the Parliament. The report drew attention to the fact that prisons have turned into “punishment camps”.
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Turkey Weekly 16 – 22 June 2025
Turkey Today – 22.06.2025
Speaking at the “Paving Way for Peace” conference in İstanbul, former Parliamentary President Bülent Arınç reminded Bahçeli’s call to Öcalan and said, “Why should he speak in Parliament? Let him speak on the streets.”
The release of Besra Erol, mother of Evrim Deniz Erol, one of the 33 people who lost their lives in the attack organised by ISIS in Suruç, was postponed once again by the Administration and Observation Board.
Emin Gezici, the father of Birindar Gezici who was arrested in Agirî after being subjected to torture with pliers, said that his son suffered 50 per cent vision loss and his treatment was prevented.
In Istanbul, where a 24-hour ban was imposed by the Governorate, Taksim and Şişhane Metro Stations were closed until further notice.
Journalist Fatih Altaylı, who was detained on charges of ‘threatening the President’ due to his speech on YouTube channel, was arrested.
Turkey Today – 21.06.2025
The Human Rights Association organised the meeting ‘The Road to Peace: Memory and Justice’ meeting in Diyarbakır. Families of both soldiers and guerrillas shared their stories and expressed their demand for peace.
President Erdoğan met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakci on the sidelines of the ‘51st Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’.
Ekrem İmamoğlu made a statement regarding the visit of DEM Party Co-Chairs and emphasised that a commission should be established in the Parliament for a lasting peace and solution.
The release of Beyar Uğurlu, who has completed 30 years of imprisonment in Elazığ High Security Prison, was postponed on the grounds that he said ‘I support Öcalan’s call’.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1056 and asked the fate of Mustafa Sayğı, who disappeared 31 years ago after being detained in Urfa’s Suruç district.
Turkey Today – 20.06.2025
The parliament has passed law granting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan authority to promote military officers ahead of schedule.
The Council of Judges and Prosecutors replaced the judge in charge of Ekrem İmamoğlu’s “diploma case”.
During a phone call President Erdoğan has warned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of potential fallout from conflict between Israel and Iran, including risks of mass migration and nuclear contamination.
The Lawyers for Freedom Association Antalya Branch released a report on rights violations in Antalya prisons stating that prisoners are denied access to their right to health care.
Ill prisoner Civan Boltan was sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement by Bolu High Security F-Type Prison administration for “terrorist propaganda” due to books confiscated during a ward search.
Turkey Today – 19.06.2025
Ekrem İmamoğlu’s lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan was referred to the judge on duty with the demand of arrest due to ‘being a member of an organisation established for the purpose of committing a crime’ after the prosecution procedures. The judgeship decided to arrest Mehmet Pehlivan.
The release of Çetin Arkaş, who was held in Silivri Closed Prison and took part in the İmralı Secretariat during the so-called “Resolution Process” 2013-15, was postponed for 3 months by the Administration and Observation Board.
Tayfun Kahraman, a city planner and academic serving an 18-year sentence in connection with the 2013 Gezi Park protests, is facing worsening health conditions due to delays in treatment for multiple sclerosis.
DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan stated “Our proposals regarding the parliamentary commission’s working procedures and principles are ready. Our draft on this matter is prepared.”
DEM Party co-chairs met with many politicians, including Imamoğlu, in Silivri Prison.
The 7th hearing of the ‘insulting the President’ lawsuit filed against journalist Sedef Kabaş due to her 25 posts on social media was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until September.
The fourth hearing of the lawsuit filed against journalist Furkan Karabay, who has been under arrest since 15 May, due to ‘insulting the president’ through three social media posts, was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until July.
Turkey Today – 18.06.2025
DEM Party Urfa MP Mithat Sancar becomes new member of İmralı delegation. Sancar will replace Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who died on 3 May while being treated in hospital.
DEM Party Group Deputy Chairs, who visited Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, said, ‘We agree that the parliamentary commission should be established quickly and work in the summer.’
DEM Party MP Beritan Güneş stated that the Removal Centres have turned into concentration camps and emphasised that sexual and physical violence is taking place in the centres in Ayvacık, Kayseri, Aydın and Çatalca.
The indictment against Selçuk Tengioğlu, who attacked Özgür Özel after Sırrı Süreyya Önder’s funeral ceremony, was finalised and a prison sentence of up to 4.5 years was requested.
Former HDP MP Hüda Kaya, who was on trial in the ‘Second Kobanê Case’, was acquitted of all charges.
Turkey Today – 17.06.2025
16 heads of bar associations met with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the Parliament to evaluate the ongoing process regarding the solution of the Kurdish issue and the new constitutional process.
The hearing in the case on the death of slain DEP MP Mehmet Sincar was adjourned once again for the preparation of the final opinion. Lawyers reacted against the absence of an opinion for 4 years.
Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an ex officio investigation against those who took audio and video recordings during İmamoğlu’s hearing yesterday and those who shared them on virtual media.
President Erdoğan has announced that Turkey will increase the production of medium and long-range missiles to enhance national defense capabilities against the backdrop of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Turkey Today – 16.06.2025
Istanbul Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu appeared in court today in the case where he is charged with “threatening,” “insulting a public official,” and “targeting a person involved in counterterrorism” for his criticism of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. Trial adjourned until July.
President Erdogan called Iranian President Pezeshkian and asked him to return to nuclear negotiations.
Seriously ill prisoner Sıddık Güler, 85, held in İskenderun T-Type Closed Prison, is not being transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK) despite the decision of the Iskenderun Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The release of Erdal Canan, a prisoner in Van F Type High Security Closed Prison, was postponed for 6 months on the grounds of ‘lack of remorse’.
Two executives of Genel-İş union who participated in the march and press statements for Ekrem İmamoğlu in Izmir were arrested for ‘insulting the president’.
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Turkey Weekly 10 – 15 June 2025
Turkey Today – 15.06.2025
Van Bar Association President Sinan Özaraz said, ‘The country should get out of the “Turkey without terror” discourse and legal and democratic steps should be taken without delay.’
Özgür Özel said that he would not recognise the decision of nullity or trustee in the case for the cancellation of the CHP’s congress.
Semiran Çakır Erbağa, sister of Fırat Erbağa, who has been subjected to severe violations of rights in Erzincan High Security Prison and has been kept in solitary confinement for two months, called for sensitivity.
As the ongoing logging on Gabar Mountain spreads to new regions, new footage shows sinkholes stacked for 3 kilometres.
Turkey Today – 14.06.2025
The heads of 15 bar associations will hold a series of meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament and political parties in Ankara with the agenda of the constitutional process.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1055 and asked for the fate of Nurettin Çur, who disappeared 30 years ago in Diyarbakır’s Bağlar district.
3 of 4 suspects detained within the scope of the investigation into the death of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek due to electric current in his house were arrested.
Turkey Today – 13.06.2025
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made a statement on Israel’s attack on Iran: ‘Israel’s attack is an insidious message not only to Iran but also to Turkey’.
In its evaluation of the regulation on the law of execution made within the scope of the “10th Judicial Package”, the Association of Civil Society in the Penal Execution System said: “The understanding of punitive justice was taken as a basis by moving away from the understanding of restorative justice”.
Journalists Semra Pelek, Dicle Baştürk and Ozan Cırık were detained were detained as part of an Artvin-based investigation in Turkey’s Black Sea region, but no detailed explanation has yet been provided. Melisa Efe, who works as a translator for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, was also detained within the scope of the same investigation.
A police raid was carried out this morning at the home of journalist Metin Yoksu. The raid was based on allegations of “membership in a terrorist organization and terrorist propaganda.”
Ali İlbak and Yusuf İlbak, who were arrested within the scope of the ‘corruption’ investigation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, were released with a ban on leaving the country and the condition of not leaving the residence.
Turkey Today – 12.06.2025
In the statement demanding the reinstatement of the people with state of emergency decrees, KESK Term Spokesperson Feridün Kahraman emphasised that one of the requirements for social peace is the reinstatement of the people with state of emergency decrees.
The trial of İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is charged with “attempting to influence a judicial expert or witness” and “attempting to influence a fair trial,” was held at Marmara Prison in Silivri but has been postponed to a later, unspecified date.
Dem Party Diyarbakır MP Serhat Eren brought the racist behaviour on a Pegasus flight to Diyarbakır to the parliamentary agenda and asked ‘Has an audit or investigation been initiated into the incident?’.
Journalist Rahime Karvar, who was on trial for alleged “membership in a terrorist organization,” was released under judicial control at her first court hearing.
Turkey Today – 11.06.2025
DEM Party Spokesperson Aysegul Dogan stated: “We are planning to make a visit to İmralı Island as soon as possible. It is highly likely that Mr Öcalan will also meet with representatives of various political parties.”
The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that an arrest warrant has been issued for Cafer Mahiroğlu, the owner of Halk TV, on charges of “bid rigging.” The statement also noted that Mahiroğlu was found to have left the country.
The Human Rights Association (IHD) made a statement in front of Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison, saying that the 10th Judicial Package failed to meet expectations and called for the urgent release of ill prisoners without the need for any legal procedures.
After the suspension of Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, who was detained over alleged corruption, the municipal council convened and elected AKP council member Eray Karadeniz as acting mayor.
Turkey Today – 10.06.2025
The Constitutional Court ruled that the “objectionable” seizure of letters sent by 11 prisoners in different prisons was not necessary in a “democratic society”.
The release of Nihat Şahin, a 30-year prisoner in Tekirdağ Prison, was postponed on the grounds that he said, “I paid price to live my Kurdish identity”.
Former Media Co. General Manager İpek Elif Atayman, who has been detained since 19 March within the scope of the investigation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and was transferred from Silivri to Afyonkarahisar Prison without informing her family and lawyers, shared the ill-treatment she was subjected to and called on Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç.
CHP Chair Özgür Özel answered questions from Tele1 TV stating they won’t allow CHP to be taken over.
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Turkey Weekly 2 – 8 June 2025
Turkey Today – 08.06.2025
Adana Regional Court of Appeals reversed the verdict of the local court regarding 3 people who attacked HDP Yüreğir district office with a gun and claimed that the offence of “threatening with a gun” against HDP Yüreğir District Co-Chair Durmaz Özmen did not occur.
Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan and other six prisoners receive visits from families on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Abdullah Öcalan shared the following message during the family meeting: “I extend my greetings to our people on the Feast of Sacrifice without sacrifice. Greetings to all our people.”
A commemoration was held for Hafız Akdemir, Diyarbakır reporter of Özgür Gündem newspaper, who was murdered on 8 June 1992, on the anniversary of his death.
Turkey Today – 07.06.2025
Legal organisations in Europe, including ELDH, are preparing to notify the CoE Committee of Ministers, which has given Turkey until September on the “right to hope”.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1054 and asked for the fate of Veysel Güney, who was executed by the 12 September coup government and whose body was not given to his family.
It is learned that Süleyman Peşit, a teacher at an Imam Hatip School in Şirnak, sexually harassed 3 children and the indictment is still pending 3 months after the investigation.
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Mehmet Oflaz due to “violating the confidentiality of the investigation” for reporting on the Supreme Court of Appeals’ decision on Vahdettin Özkan, then Governor of Konya.
Turkey Today – 06.06.2025
Anadolu University started an investigation against 3 students who protested the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Women working in Batman Municipality under the trustee administration are being forced to resign through mobbing. Sociologist Rojin Akat, who had a crisis in the face of these practices, filed a complaint against Esen Tunç, the Director of Women and Family Services, for “abuse of office”.
Erdoğan congratulated the provincial and district presidencies of his party for Eid with a video message and said, “We will hopefully bring this auspicious process to success without any road accidents.”
Speaking after his visit to the cemetery, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said, “Coup d’état laws must be eliminated. Parliament has an important duty after the feast.”
Turkey Today – 05.06.2025
CHP mayors of Avcılar, Büyükçekmece, Gaziosmanpaşa, Cehyan and Seyhan who were arrested in Istanbul-based investigations were suspended from office.
An ex officio investigation has been launched against CHP leader Özgür Özel for his remarks about İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.
Despite the PKK’s decision to end the armed struggle, it was announced that 2 members lost their lives in Turkey’s ongoing attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Women who were subjected to strip searches during visits in Urfa Prison said, “They remove our headscarves and take off our clothes.”
Haci Haykir, a political prisoner held for 31 years, was denied release by the Administrative and Observation Board of Burdur Prison on the grounds that he did not declare “neutrality”. His release scheduled for June 6, was postponed for eight months.
Turkey Today – 04.06.2025
According to Sosyo Politik’s survey on the process in 16 cities Kurdish cities, 71.5 percent of the citizens supported the PKK’s congress decisions. The majority of citizens stated that the responsibility for the positive outcome of the process lies with the parliament and the government.
6 women, including HDP former Wan Provincial Co-Chair Yadişen Karabulak, who protested the trustee appointments in Van in 2019, were sentenced to 1 year and 3 months each.
DEM Party Co-Chairs reacted against the operation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the detention images.
Yesterday, bianet Editor Tuğçe Yılmaz was stopped by police during an ID check at the Kadıköy ferry pier in the evening and was taken to the local police station for questioning. Today she was released.
CHP Chair Özgür Özel made statements on the current political agenda stating “We will neither hand over Atatürk’s party to a trustee nor surrender it to anyone through judicial tricks.”
Turkey Today – 03.06.2025
Siirt Bar Association President Muhammed Alptekin said that it is a legal responsibility for the political power and the judiciary to implement the “right to hope” judgement of the ECtHR.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has declared the 38th Ordinary Convention of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), where Özgür Özel was elected as the new party leader, as “fraudulent,” based on questionable complaints and unverified information.
While the plundering of nature continues at full speed in Gabar Mountain, hundreds of tonnes of tree logs were stacked on the roadsides in some regions.
Turkey Today – 02.06.2025
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş visited the co-chairs of the DEM party in parliament. He then announced the establishment of a commission to monitor the political dialogue.
The 10th Judicial Package, which was submitted to the Parliament with the signature of AKP and supported by MHP, will be discussed in the General Assembly tomorrow.
Journalist Elif Akgül, who was arrested on 21 February as part of the operation against the Peoples’ Democratic Congress, was released.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke about the protests of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality workers, who left 5 days of their strike behind. Özel said, “No one should expect us to say anything against the striking workers.”
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1 June 2025
Turkey Today – 01.06.2025
Despite massive criticism from the opposition, the Turkish parliament’s justice committee has passed the 10th justice package with the votes of the ruling AKP and MHP parties. The draft is to be presented to the plenary in the coming days.
Evaluating the 10th Judicial Package submitted to the Parliament, IHD Co-chair Eren Keskin said, “There is nothing in this package that will raise hopes for a solution. Equality in execution must be ensured and the Anti-Terror Law must be abolished.”
AKP’s Orhan Kırcalı defended the article blocking the release of prisoners sentenced to “aggravated life imprisonment” on the grounds of “posing a danger to society”.
82 of 94 university students who were detained during the Gezi protests were released. Of the 12 people referred to the courthouse today, 2 were arrested and 10 were referred to the judgeship with judicial control conditions.