Author: Serdar Imren

The recent arrest of Mehmet Türkmen, the head of the United Textile, Leather, and Shoe Workers’ Union (BİRTEK-SEN), has sparked outrage amid ongoing worker protests in Gaziantep. Türkmen was detained while meeting with union members on February 16, marking his second detention within two weeks surrounding strikes for improved wages. His legal troubles follow a wave of labor unrest as workers in industrial zones, particularly in Başpınar, demand better compensation in light of soaring inflation rates. Article Subheadings 1) Arrest of a Union Leader 2) Context of Labor Protests 3) Legal Proceedings and Reactions 4) Government Response to Protests 5)…

In a significant political development, Lütfü Savaş, the former mayor of Hatay and a member of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has initiated a lawsuit seeking to annul the party’s 2023 congress. According to reports, Savaş argues that the legitimate voice of the party delegates was undermined during the congress, which resulted in the election of a new party leadership. This legal action emerges amid rising tensions within the CHP following the recent leadership change and critical comments from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has dubbed the congress as “shady.” Article Subheadings 1) Legal Action Against Party Leadership 2)…

In a significant crackdown on dissent, Turkish authorities have detained at least 52 individuals across ten provinces. This early morning operation was launched against alleged members of pro-Kurdish and leftist groups, raising alarm among various political circles. The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has further indicated that detention orders have been issued for an additional 60 people, citing links to terrorism-related offenses and connections with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Article Subheadings 1) Overview of Detentions 2) Profiles of Detained Individuals 3) Political Reactions and Statements 4) The Role of Media and Journalistic Freedom 5) Broader Context of Government…

In a tragic incident in Ankara, at least 54 individuals have lost their lives due to the consumption of counterfeit alcohol, with 40 others currently receiving intensive medical care. Forensic reports from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office indicate a serious public health crisis stemming from counterfeit alcohol consumption, prompting investigations into the production and distribution networks behind these deadly substances. Authorities have detained 28 suspects linked to the ordeal as part of an extensive inquiry targeting smuggling practices and potential criminal negligence. Article Subheadings 1) High taxes and weak regulation 2) Methanol-laced alcohol behind fatalities 3) Government response to…

In a week marked by significant legislative activity, the Turkish Parliament has passed the Justice Academy Law while gearing up to address the proposed Cybersecurity Law. This piece of legislation, criticized by opposition parties as akin to censorship, aims to empower authorities to act swiftly in the face of cybersecurity threats. Meanwhile, political maneuvering continues as parties prepare for important gatherings and the upcoming congress of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Article Subheadings 1) Passage of the Justice Academy Law 2) Controversy over Cybersecurity Law 3) Upcoming Political Events 4) CHP Primary Election Timeline 5) İmralı Delegation’s Efforts…

Ayşe Barım, a prominent talent manager in Turkey, faced a significant legal setback yesterday when an Istanbul court reversed an earlier ruling that had granted her release from detention. Initially arrested on January 27, Barım is charged with attempts to undermine the government amid ongoing scrutiny regarding her links to the infamous Gezi Park protests from 2013. After a series of legal maneuvers, including appeals from her lawyers and subsequent challenges from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Barım remains in custody as investigations into her activities continue. Article Subheadings 1) Charges and Background of Ayşe Barım 2) Legal Proceedings…

In a widespread crackdown, Turkish authorities have detained 282 individuals allegedly linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a designated terrorist organization, as part of ongoing efforts to address militant threats within the country. The detentions, which took place over a five-day period, included journalists, politicians, and academics, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and democratic governance. This operation coincides with a broader crackdown on pro-Kurdish political representatives and comes amid hopes of a potential resolution to the longstanding conflict between the PKK and the Turkish government. Article Subheadings 1) Overview of the Detentions 2) Background on the…

In the sprawling, cold expanse of Silivri Prison, a man has become the living symbol of a state’s complete collapse into personal vengeance. That man is Osman Kavala. Detained since 2017 and now facing a life sentence, the 64-year-old philanthropist and intellectual is not a criminal; he is a political hostage, held captive not by evidence or law, but by the unyielding wrath of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Kavala’s case is the grotesque centerpiece of the Erdoğan regime’s efforts to rewrite history. To understand his imprisonment, one must understand Erdoğan’s deepest political wound: the 2013 Gezi Park protests. When millions…

The long arm of the Turkish state’s repressive apparatus has found its newest target: Clubhouse. The audio-chat app, which briefly emerged as a rare space for open political debate in Turkey, has been swiftly turned into a hunting ground by pro-government mobs who are systematically blacklisting, doxxing, and threatening citizens for the simple act of criticizing the government. This is not random online trolling. It is a coordinated and chilling campaign of intimidation openly championed by figures within the ruling party itself. In a tactic reminiscent of totalitarian regimes, AKP deputy Mehmet Cihat Sezai publicly called on his followers to…

A new report from the International Press Institute (IPI) has delivered a damning verdict on Turkey’s justice system, confirming what journalists have known for years: the country’s courtrooms are no longer places of law, but assembly lines for political repression, systematically designed to silence and punish critical voices. The joint report with Turkey’s Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), which monitored 38 separate cases involving 159 journalists, reveals a chilling landscape where the very act of journalism is treated as terrorism. An overwhelming 85 percent of the hearings involved dubious terrorism-related offenses. The “evidence” presented in these show trials consists…