Turkey Weekly 26 – 31 May 2025
Turkey Today – 31.05.2025
CHP MP Süleyman Bülbül criticised the absence of the “right to hope” regulation in the 10th Judicial Package, which is being discussed in the commission, by reminding Bahçeli’s statement.
DEM Party reacted against the detentions within the scope of the investigation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and said, “For social peace and a strong democracy, the will of the people from Istanbul to Van, from Mardin to Adana must be respected.”
Beyoğlu district was blockaded by the police before the planned demonstration in Taksim for the 12th anniversary of the Gezi Resistance. All streets leading to Istiklal Street were blocked with barriers.
For the 1053rd time, the Saturday Mothers gathered on Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square to demand clarification about the fate of the disappeared. The case of Mehmet Sait Zengin, who was abducted in Midyad in 1995, took centre stage.
Turkey Today – 30.05.2025
The Association of Lawyers for Freedom demanded that the 10th Judicial Package submitted to the Parliament be revised and that the “right to hope” be included.
Fırat Epözdemir, a member of the İstanbul Bar Association’s Executive Board, was released under judicial control at his first court hearing yesterday.
Today Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus and Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Ozgur Ozel had a meeting in the Parliament.
DEM Party’s candidate for Parliament Speaker is Cengiz Çandar.
European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur on Turkey, Nacho Sánchez Amor, visited İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu today at Silivri Prison.
Following his meeting with the AKP, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said about the process, “The work done has reached a certain point, it is the duty of the Parliament to carry out this work in a transparent manner from now on.”
Turkey Today – 29.05.2025
The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against specialised sergeant Musa Orhan, who raped İpek Er and dragged her to her death, on the charge of “leading another person to suicide” started.
The indictment against CHP Istanbul Chair Özgür Çelik, demanding a prison sentence of up to 15 years and 6 months and a political ban, was accepted.
Municipality Council member Neslihan Oruç, who was detained and arrested during the operation against Akdeniz Municipality, was released at the first hearing of the trial.
RTÜK imposed administrative fines on four media organisations, including Halk TV and TELE1, on various grounds at its Supreme Council meeting today.
Access to the YouTube accounts of Kurdish journalists living in Germany been blocked in Turkey.
Upon being asked about his words “I do not have a problem like being a candidate again”, president Erdoğan said “We will listen to our nation today and tomorrow”.
Turkey Today – 28.05.2025
The lawsuit filed against Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and 10 members of the Executive Board due to “making propaganda for an illegal organisation” and “publicly disseminating misleading information” was held in Istanbul. The trial will continue tomorrow.
In the final declaration of the Interim Meeting of the Democratic Local Governments Board of the DEM Party, it was stated that the reservation on the Charter of Local Self-Government should be removed.
A DEM Party delegation met with the AKP delegation consisting of Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala, Speaker Ömer Çelik, Group Chairman Abdullah Güler and Deputy Group Chairman Özlem Zengin.
President Erdoğan wants to have a new constitution drafted by ten lawyers with the aim of leaving the ‘disgrace of the military constitution’ behind. AKP Vice-Chairman Efkan Ala declared that there was a common will among political parties in Turkey to draft a new constitution.
Former prime minister of Turkey and Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoglu says he’s for Turkey opening its airspace to Suleymania International Airport again, on the basis that Turkey is allowed to establish a Turkish intelligence “control mechanism” at the airport.
Turkey Today – 27.05.2025
Erzurum Regional Administrative Court has ruled the governorate’s decision in Van to ban protests against the trustee initiative unlawful.
In the DEM Party’s statement on the meeting with MHP, it was stated that the issues that the Parliament should take on in the context of the Kurdish issue were discussed.
25 of those who were detained last week over the “corruption” allegations in the investigation into the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and referred to court were imprisoned.
Following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, an investigation was initiated against Nuri Aslan, who became Acting Mayor on 26 March.
Sevinç Aldar, an employee of Aram Publishing House, was acquitted in the lawsuit filed against her for Nelson Mandela’s book “Long Road to Freedom”.
Turkey Today – 26.05.2025The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has requested a defence from Turkey following an application concerning human rights violations during the curfews in Cizîr in 2015 / 2016.
A stoned attack was carried out against DEM Party’s Çanakkale provincial building.
The condition of ill prisoner Fırat Nebioğlu, who has a 92 per cent disability report and kidney failure, in Diyarbakır High Security Prison No. 1 is deteriorating day by day.
In the May issue of Tıp Dünyası (Medicine World), a monthly journal published by the Turkish Medical Association, “strip search” of prisoners was included. It was pointed out that there is no explicit article on “strip search” in the Turkish Penal Code.
The release of Hasan Yaküt, a prisoner in Antalya S Type High Security Closed Prison, was postponed for 6 months on the grounds of “lack of remorse”.
Turkey Weekly 19 – 25 May 2025
Turkey Today – 25.05.2025
“What is certain is that there are no political prisoners in Turkey,” said Mehmet Uçum, Senior Advisor to the President.
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the “Freedom for İmamoğlu” banner hung by CHP MPs on the bridge.
Erdoğan demanded the CHP to “repent and ask for forgiveness” after the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality operations; he called CHP leader Özgür Özel “the carrier pigeon of a criminal organisation”.
Nizamettin Kabaiş, the father of Rojin Kabaiş, whose suspicious death took place 8 months ago, stated that the process has been prolonged, that no information has been communicated to them and that the prosecutors have not revealed anything clear about the file.
Turkey Today – 24.05.2025
President Erdoğan met with Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Shara. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, Head of National Intelligence Organisation Ibrahim Kalın, Head of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hasan al-Shaybani also participated in the meeting.
Eren Baskın, who has been struggling for justice”for 33 years to find the perpetrators of his father’s murder in detention, said, “If there is to be an honourable peace, I am willing to forgive the people who killed my father.”
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1051 and asked for the fate of Mehmet Selim, Hasan and Cezayir Örhan.
The appeal against the arrest of journalist Furkan Karabay, who was detained in Istanbul on 15 May, was rejected.
Turkey Today – 23.05.2025
Aysegul Dogan, spokesperson for the DEM Party, called on Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to take initiative in establishing a parliamentary commission.
In the 4th wave operation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, detention warrants issued for 49 people, including names close to Ekrem İmamoğlu.
CHP chair Özgür Özel strongly criticized the wave of investigations and arrests targeting opposition municipalities, claiming they are politically motivated and based on fabricated charges.
DEM Party MP Öznur Bartın submitted a bill to the Parliament for the closure of S and Y type prisons known as “well-type prisons”.
Journalist Gülistan Dursun was summoned to testify for participating in the protest for the murder of her colleagues Gülistan Tara and Hero Bahadin.
Turkey Today – 22.05.2025
The Ministry of National Defence said that operations are continuing in order to completely eliminate the PKK’s capacity to act and move.
DEM Party’s motion to investigate missing people was rejected in the parliament by votes of the AKP, MHP, and İYİ Party.
Answering questions from journalists President Erdogan said “I have no intention to be re-elected or to run again.” He added “The key question is whether the Republican People’s Party will embark on a journey with us to make a civil constitution.”
JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer was released at the first hearing of the case against her.
The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ for his column titled “Mafialisation of the order” was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until September.
Turkey Today – 21.05.2025
“We discussed the steps to be taken for peace and solution,” DEM Party said in a statement following the meetings with CHP and New Wellfare Party.
Ruken Gülağacı, board member of the Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD), was detained by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday at the exit of Kandıra Prison, where she had gone for her professional activities, on the grounds that there was a “warrant of arrest” against her. The court decided to release Ruken Gülağacı on judicial control measures in the form of house arrest.
Bülent Tekbıyıkoğlu, the governor of Tunceli and trustee of Tunceli Municipality had allegedly decided to resign on May 19 after the commemoration took place in the region for PKK executives Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun.
The release of Turgut Koyuncu, an ill prisoner held in Kırıklar F Type Prison No 1, where “remorse” was imposed, was postponed for 9 months.
Turkey Today – 20.05.2025
“There will be those who will try to poison the process, we are cautious,” Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said regarding the process initiated for the solution of the Kurdish question.
Bitlis Governorate prevented 5 Kurdish writers from participating in the book fair without any justification.
The ban on travelling abroad was lifted for TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and YİK Chairman Ömer Arif Aras, who have criticised many policies of the government, especially political and judicial ones.
Reacting to the elections for membership to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors held in the Parliament, CHP Chair Özgür Özel said, “This issue is an example of complete lawlessness.”
The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against IHD member Selahattin Okçuoğlu due to “making illegal organisation propaganda” through his social media posts was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until July.
Turkey Today – 19.05.2025
Stating that they support MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s call for the establishment of a commission in the parliament, Pervin Buldan, a member of the İmralı delegation, said: “Negotiations for the establishment of a commission should start as soon as possible.”
Making a statement on their meeting with DEVA and Felicity Party, DEM Party said, “Our delegation conveyed to their interlocutors the proposal for the establishment of a fully authorised commission under the roof of the Turkish Grand National Assembly for the healthy progress of the process.”
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said the process is going on as planned and the parliament is the place to discuss the issue.
Relatives of Muammer Uğur, who was sentenced to 82 years and 6 months in prison for the rape of 4 children in Şirnak, made threats against the Women and Child Rights Commission of Şirnak Bar Association.
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Turkey Weekly 22 – 27 April 2025
Turkey Today – 27.04.2025
Within the scope of the ‘corruption’ investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, detention warrants were issued for 53 people and 47 people were detained yesterday.
In Tokat T Type Prison, the treatment of sick prisoners is being prevented due to the oral search which has been going on for 7 months. The Administration and Observation Board is also preventing the release of prisoners on various grounds.
The first hearing of the trial against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin due to ‘insulting the President’ after he was detained at Istanbul Airport will be held on 30 April.
Turkey Today – 26.04.2025
In Şırnak, 14 areas were declared as ‘special security zones’ and entrances were banned.
According to the report prepared by the Association of Lawyers for Freedom on Bolu F Type Prison, 33 prisoners were prevented from being released on the pretexts of reading books in common, watching Kurdish TV and having too much paper.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1048 and asked for the perpetrators of Kadir Keremoğlu, who was abducted and disappeared by JİTEM in 1995 in Van. İbrahim Kaboğlu, President of the Istanbul Bar Association, also joined the protest.
Youth organisations and university students in Ankara gathered on Konur Street with the call ‘We march for our future’. The police attacked the youth. At least 22 people were detained.
Turkey Today – 25.04.2025
3 prisoners transferred to Erzincan High Security Prison were forced to strip search. The prisoners, who started a hunger strike to protest the practice, were put in solitary cells.
The Diyarbakir section of the SES health union wants to take legal action against the ban on planned caesarean sections. The authority to decide on the type of birth must lie with women, not the government, says chair Yıldız Ok Orak.
Succuessive earthquakes continue after the 6.2 earthquake that occured in Istanbul on 23 April. According to the data of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), a 3.6 magnitude aftershock centred in Büyükçekmece in the Marmara Sea.
News anchor Özlem Gürses has been sentenced to one year and three months in prison for “publicly insulting the military organization of the state,” due to her remarks about developments in Syria during a broadcast on her YouTube channel.
Turkey Today – 24.04.2025
DEM Party MP Sezai Temelli said regarding the meeting with Justice Minister Tunç he was told that “necessary steps will be taken within the legal framework” regarding the İmralı isolation.
Despite the ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers Party in March Turkey continues its attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
After yesterday’s earthquake, experts say the number of accessible assembly points with proper infrastructure and shelter capacity is far lower than needed.
The 18th hearing of the lawsuit filed against lawyer Seda Şaraldı, a member of Contemporary Lawyers Association, due to ‘illegal organisation membership’ on the grounds of her professional activities, was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until June.
The indictment prepared against former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş on the grounds of 6 separate speeches he made was accepted by Diyarbakır 18th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Turkey Today – 23.04.2025
Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) announced that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 occurred in the Marmara Sea, off the coast of Istanbul Silivri at 12.49 pm local time.
During the meeting to be held tomorrow between the DEM Party delegation and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, a file containing priority issues for the process will be presented to the minister.
The İstanbul Bar Association has released reports documenting human rights violations during protests that erupted last month following the detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
The sixth hearing of the lawsuit filed against actor İlyas Salman due to ‘insulting the President’ on the grounds of his statements in an interview titled ‘I do not consider Erdoğan worthy of that seat’ was held in Istanbul. Salman was sentenced to 7 thousand TL judicial fine.
The administration of Bolu Type F Prison withholds letters from political prisoner Ihsan Balkaş and demands a translation fee from him for a letter he wrote in Kurdish.
Turkey Today – 22.04.2025
According to the İmralı delegation PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan expects the peace process to gain pace in the coming days.
The seriously ill political prisoner Mehmet Emin Çam has been transferred back to prison after suffering a heart attack despite his critical state of health.
Hikmet Calagan has been imprisoned for 32 years and has not been released from prison despite the completion of his sentence and the Constittional Court’s decision on the violation of the law.
In Van, Ipekyolu Municipality’s decision to name a park ‘Orhan Doğan Peace Park’ was rejected by the district governorship.
Hilal Saraç, an astrologist who was arrested for a social media post speculating about the health condition of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, was released after spending 60 days in prison.
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Turkey Weekly 12 – 18 May 202
Turkey Today – 18.05.2025
Today, İmralı Delegation members Pervin Buldan and Faik Özgür Erol visited Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı prison island. No statement has been published so far.
Following the PKK’s congress decisions, MHP chair Bahçeli called for the establishment of a “National Unity and Solidarity Commission” with the participation of the parties in the Parliament.
Turkey’s attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continue despite the unilateral ceasefire and the PKK’s declaration of disarmament. A village in Amediye, where a wedding celebration was taking place, was affected today.
76 years old Hatice Yıldız was arrested for sending money to her imprisoned daughter and ward mate. Ferhat Yıldız said his mother’s health deteriorating and demanded release of ill prisoners.
There are 80 sick prisoners in prisons in the Mediterranean Region. IHD lawyer Muammer Derince stated that preventing the release of prisoners is “de facto execution”.
Turkey Today – 17.05.2025
In a statement released on the occasion of the “Week of the Disappeared”, DEM Party demanded the establishment of a truth commission to reveal the perpetrators of those disappeared in custody.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1051 and demanded and stated that the policy of impunity is an obstacle to social peace and called for truth and confrontation.
Hakkari Co-Mayor Viyan Tekçe, who was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison in the lawsuit filed against her after the appointment of a trustee, reacted against the verdict by saying “As elected people, we will continue to defend our rights through democratic and legitimate means until the end”.
A lawsuit was filed against members of the 2024 Newroz Organising Committee in Eskişehir due to “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”.
Turkey Today – 16.05.2025
The court decided to continue detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and 30 people.
IHD, ÖHD and Diyarbakır Bar Association made an application to the Prosecutor’s Office for the preservation of the bones found in Lice district of Diyarbakır and to determine who they belong to.
An investigation was initiated against journalist Hakkı Boltan on the grounds of 2 books published by the publishing house he owns.
The Court of Cassation upheld the 16-year and 8-month sentence of Fatih Dalgalı, the police officer who killed Berkin Elvan with a gas canister during the Gezi Park resistance.
Turkey Today – 15.05.2025
Yesterday President Erdoğan said “With the terrorist organization’s disbandment and the increased role of political channels, we believe the trustee practices in municipalities will return to being the exception again.”
Journalist Furkan Karabay was detained on charges of “insulting the President” based on a video he made on YouTube and his online media posts.
Can Öztürk, a reporter for the T24 news site, was released under judicial supervision a day after being detained while covering a student protest at İstanbul’s Boğaziçi University.
3 young people who were arrested due to “insulting the president” for carrying a “Dictator Erdoğan” poster were released.
Turkey Today – 14.05.2025
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç responded to the request for Abdullah Öcalan to meet with journalists and politicians and said, “What needs to be done within this legal framework can be carried out.”
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) said the implementation of the disarmament plan would require the release of its imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan and the establishment of a legal framework guaranteeing Kurdish rights.
Three university students in İstanbul is facing a prison sentence for holding a sign that referred to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a “dictator” during a youth demonstration on 8 April.
Police detained 97 people, including a journalist, during a student protest yesterday at İstanbul’s Boğaziçi University, where Nureddin Yıldız, a cleric known for legitimizing violence against women and child marriage, was scheduled to speak.
Journalist Evrim Kepenek was sentenced to 10 months in prison on the charge of “violating the confidentiality of an investigation” for a news report. Kepenek had reported on the allegation that a two-year-old child had “died due to sexual abuse” in Beylikdüzü, Istanbul.
Turkey Today – 13.05.2025
Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan has welcomed the group’s decision to dissolve itself in line with his appeal in February.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan described the PKK’s decision as “an important step for the security of our country, the peace of our region, and the eternal unity of our nation.”
Bringing the PKK’s decision to the agenda in the Parliament, DEM Party and CHP pointed out that the Parliament has a great responsibility from this stage onwards and called for new legal arrangements to be made.
Artist Pınar Aydınlar, who was detained through the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) investigation and arrested on 21 February, was released on judicial control measures.
The fourth hearing of the lawsuit filed against lawyer Nazan Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı due to “illegal organisation membership” on the grounds of her professional activities was held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until September.
Turkey Today – 12.05.2025
Following the PKK’s announcement of its congress resolutions, Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum stated, “Comprehensive reforms will be implemented in the fields of democracy and law.”
Fahrettin Altun, head of the Presidency’s Communications Directorate, said the announcement was a significant step in the government’s ongoing campaign for a “terror-free Turkey”.
After PKK’s announcement MHP chair Devlet Bahçeli said “I would like to thank Abdullah Öcalan, the founding leader of the PKK, who has taken on historical responsibility with his call for peace.”
The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against 9 people who protested against trade relations with Israel at the TRT World Forum event where President Erdoğan gave a speech is being held in Istanbul. Trial adjourned until September.
The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against journalist Delal Akyüz due to “membership in a terrorist organisation and aiding the organisation” started in Izmir. Upon the defence’s request for additional time, the court adjourned the trial to July.
The lawsuit filed against Mezoptamya Agency reporters Tolga Güney and Semra Turan due to “illegal organisation membership” was held in Izmir. Lawyers requested time for defence against the final opinion. Trial adjourned until July.
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Turkey Weekly 5-10 May 2025
Turkey Today – 10.05.2025
In his first statement after the PKK congress, President Erdoğan stated that they are carrying out the process of “Turkey without terrorism” with great sensitivity and added, “Our intelligence and other security units are fulfilling their duties meticulously.”
Speaking in Van, CHP Chair Özgür Özel said, “We expect steps to be taken to correct deficient practices on the floor of parliament. We expect the trusteeship practice to end and political prisoners to be free.”
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 1050 and demanded justice for Halil and Kasım Alpsoy who were murdered in custody 31 years ago.
Abdulsamet Turan, who was arrested 6 months ago on the allegation of “intelligence information” and whose indictment was returned twice by the court on the grounds that the conditions for “illegal organisation membership” were not met, was not released.
Soldiers raided Arapbaba rural neighbourhood of Viranşehir district of Urfa and beat a young man named İlyas Tokmak.
Turkey Today – 09.05.2025
DEM Party Central Executive Board issued a statement on the PKK congress naming it “one of the most significant and critical turning points in Turkey’s recent history”.
6 prisoners in Şakran Women’s Closed Prison were sentenced to 1 month communicaiton penalty and 3 prisoners were sentenced to 1 month ban from activities.
Seven students were detained in house raids conducted in Diyarbakır.
A lawsuit was filed against journalist Ahmet Kanbal on charges of “disseminating misleading information to the public” for his live broadcast on 6 February.
Deforestation continues in Gabar Mountain with tree cutting having started again. The felled trees were seen being piled up along the roadside.
Turkey Today – 08.05.2025
DEM Party issued a statement regarding allegations that an assassination attempt was carried out against Sırrı Süreyya Önder before his death. A dangerous metal object has been discovered on Önder’s vehicle.
Arrested Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu’s X account was blocked in Turkey.
President Erdoğan commented on the ongoing process, saying: “The PKK will lay down arms, and then a new phase, a new era for all of us, will begin. A challenging process lies ahead.”
Turkey continues its attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Today, warplanes bombarded Amediye District of Dohuk city.
Turkey Today – 07.05.2025
CHP’s motion to investigate the physical attack on Özgür Özel in the General Assembly was rejected with the votes of AKP and MHP MPs.
The military operation launched in Tunceli’s Aliboğazı region continues.
A court has acquitted journalist Diren Yurtsever the managing editor responsible for legal affairs at the Mezopotamya Agency of charges stemming from a report on testimony related to the Kobanî trial.
İlker Canikligil, a YouTuber and a filmmaker, was released early today after spending six weeks in pretrial detention due to his remarks directed at supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Constitutional Court has rejected an application to annul key provisions of a controversial animal protection law that allows for the euthanasia of stray animals.
Turkey Today – 06.05.2025
President Erdoğan met with MHP Chair Bahçeli. The meeting between the two lasted half an hour. No statement was made after the visit.
Sharing that the attacker Tengioğlu made allegations about Ekrem İmamoğlu, CHP Chair Özgür Özel said, ‘In January this year, the child murderer attacker came to Istanbul Municipality and said, “My contact with my ward mates continues, instructions have been given; İmamoğlu will be assassinated”.
The release of İbrahim Tekin, a prisoner of 30 years in Şakran Closed Prison, was postponed for 11 months by prison authorities due to his refusal to accept the “remorse” condition.
The third hearing of the lawsuit filed against journalist Ayşenur Arslan due to ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on the grounds of the statements she made a programme on Halk TV regarding the bombing in front of the Ministry of Interior was held in Istanbul.
Villagers in Hakkari’s Çemka village started a demonstration against the mining exploration and said that they will not allow further plunder of their nature.
Turkey Today – 05.05.2025
The Constitutional Court ruled that Songül Kapancı’s “right to liberty and security” was violated after she was re-arrested on the same charges following her release under judicial control.
HTS records and account transactions of Selçuk Tengioğlu, who attacked CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, were requested.
Giving a statement within the scope of the investigation into the CHP congress, arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, ‘Trying to turn the judiciary into the extras of these irrational scenarios is a clear betrayal of the people’s sense of justice.’
President Erdoğan had a telephone conversation with US President Trump and invited him to Turkey.
The indictment of the ‘DHKP-C’ case against 25 people, including former employees of CHP-affiliated Şişli and Sarıyer municipalities, was accepted.
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Turkey Weekly 1 – 3 May 2025
Turkey Today – 03.05.2025
CHP Chair Özgür Özel was physically attacked outside the Atatürk Cultural Center following the funeral ceremony for Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and member of the İmralı Delegation from the DEM Party.
It was revealed that the attacker Selçuk Tengioğlu murdered his two children in Iskenderun in 2004. It was also stated that Tengioğlu was released on parole in 2020 and has many criminal records.
The message of Kurdish Political Leader Abdullah Öcalan about Sırrı Süreyya Önder was read out at the funeral ceremony.
The victims of the Dersim Massacre were commemorated with a silent march, marking the 88th anniversary of the tragedy. A statement was made in Seyit Rıza Square, calling for the revelation of burial sites and urging a confrontation with history.
DEM Party MP Newroz Uysal Aslan stated that, under instructions from the Ministry of Justice, there is an attempt to install cameras in the living spaces of prisoners at Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison.
Turkey Today – 04.05.2025
Parliamentary Deputy Speaker and DEM Party İmralı Delegation Member Sırrı Süreyya Önder died in the hospital where he was being treated.
3 people who were detained in house raids in Pertek district of Tunceli were arrested on the allegation of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’.
Saturday Mothers gathered at Galatasaray Square in week 149 and asked for the fate of Hüsamettin Yaman and Soner Gül, who were detained and disappeared 33 years ago.
It was revealed that Habip Aşan, the former AKP Mayor of Beytüşebap, sold the hotel he had built in the district with a 75 percent grant from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for 90 million TL to the District Directorate of Education through the ministry.
Turkey Today – 02.05.2025
DEM Party parliamentary group chairs have submitted a motion to the Parliament, demanding an official investigation into the Dersim Massacre, which was initiated by a Cabinet decision during the early Republican era.
The Council of State cancelled for the second time a circular banning the video and audio recording of police interventions in public places.
The Peace Foundation’s recent workshop in Istanbul stressed the need for a legal basis for disarmament efforts and urged improvements to Abdullah Öcalan’s prison conditions to advance the peace process.
Cemil Önal, a close associate of Northern Cypriot casino tycoon Halil Falyalı who was assassinated in 2022, was killed yesterday in the Netherlands. In an interview, Önal had made serious accusations involving Turkish and Cypriot politicians and government officials.
RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin announced that an investigation was initiated due to the remarks made against Abdülhamid II in a programme broadcast on KRT.
Turkey Today – 01.05.2025
Police detained hundreds as leftist groups attempted to reach Taksim despite bans, while thousands joined a permitted May Day rally in Kadıköy under heavy security.
The Court of Cassation found the sentence given to Yunus Pek, who murdered Suna Pek, with a ‘good behaviour’ discount too high and sent the file to the local court for a reduction in the sentence.
The urgent expropriation decisions taken for energy projects in Bitlis, Erzurum, Şirnak and Hakkari provinces entered into force upon publication in the Official Gazette.
Led by Education International, an international solidarity campaign was launched against the house arrest of Eğitim Sen MYK members for supporting the student boycott.
Turkey Today – 30.04.2025
18 of 52 people detained in the second operation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on 26 April were arrested.
Lawyers of Asrin Law Office applied to the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet their client Abdullah Öcalan.
The first hearing in the case against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin on charges of “insulting the President” was held in Ankara. judge has announced the verdict: Joakim Medin has been sentenced to 11 months and 7 days in prison. The sentence was suspended, and he will be released.
In İzmir, police raided several houses simultaneously in the morning hours. Many people were detained.
Two hotel managers were detained today in connection with a corruption investigation involving suspended İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The detentions relate to the covering of security cameras ahead of a meeting İmamoğlu held at Le Méridien Hotel.
Turkey Today – 29.04.2025
Many houses were raided in Istanbul before the May Day Labour Day celebrations. It is stated that some detained people were subjected to violence.
Izmir Bar Association warned that prisoners Sercan Ahmet Arslan and Mulla Zincir, who are on hunger strike demanding to be transferred, may lose their lives.
Lawyer Eyyüp Çataloğlu, who was beaten at the police station in Konya, said that the camera recording of the moment he was beaten was ‘cut’ by the police officers and put into the file.
The lawsuit filed against four police officers on charges of torture after the detention and beating of human rights defender lawyer Oğuzcan Ozan Kurt was held in Ankara. Trial adjourned until 21 May.
The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against JINNEWS reporter Melek Avcı due to ‘propaganda’ based on her social media posts containing news content was held in Ankara. The court acquitted Avcı. Turkey Today – 28.04.2025
The Kurdistan Workers Party made a new statement on Abdullah Öcalan’s 27 February call and said, “We expect leader Abdullah Öcalan to be in a position to lead the party congress.”
DEM Party Istanbul Co-Chair Çınar Altan was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’.
Justice Initiative for Roboski stated that although 160 months have passed since the massacre, the perpetrators have not been put on trial and said: ‘Roboski is the bloody memory of impunity and lawlessness’.
3 prisoners transferred to Erzincan High Security Prison were subjected to strip search, beating and ill-treatment.