Activist arrests surge in Turkey ahead of key NATO summit
Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey has arrested 225 people, mostly activists and journalists, on terrorism-related charges. The crackdown has drawn criticism from analysts and human rights groups.
Preparations for the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, Turkey, have been overshadowed by a wave of arrests. According to media reports, 225 people have been detained in recent days, 178 of whom remain in pretrial detention. Those arrested include human rights activists, environmental activists, and journalists. A strict two-week ban on public gatherings has also been imposed in Ankara.
Turkish prosecutors have justified the crackdown as part of ongoing investigations into terrorist organizations. Among those detained are Nevzat Ozer, representative of the environmental TEMA Foundation in Ankara; economist Emel Memis Parmaksiz; and Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of the LGBTQ portal Kaos GL. Attorneys Semra Demir and Kursat Bafra have also been taken into custody on charges of belonging to an armed terrorist organization.
Several of the accused were questioned about possible ties to the banned Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the state. The questioning reportedly focused on aliases, military training, and organizational structures. Those questioned denied the allegations, with some stating they were not even aware of the group.
Political scientist Berk Esen told DW that the government's approach is hard to understand, as it undermines its own interests ahead of a summit where it seeks positive headlines. He noted a familiar pattern of arrests of leftist individuals before previous NATO summits in Turkey. Esen suggested the move could also be a signal to the US, adding that many of those arrested have no political ties, which may reflect weaknesses in the judicial system.
Human Rights Watch criticized the use of terrorism laws for mass arrests. Deputy Europe and Central Asia director Benjamin Ward wrote that "clearing the streets of Ankara of potential protesters only further exposes the Turkish government's deepening repression" and urged NATO allies to use their influence to change course.
