PERSPECTA

News from every angle

← All sources

Stockholm Center for Freedom

Turkey · 94 articles

Lean left(-2)
LeftCenterRight
stockholm-cf2d ago

Dismissed Turkish civil servant dies after cancer goes untreated in prison until final stage

A Turkish civil servant dismissed under post-coup emergency decrees died early Thursday from colon cancer that reached its final stage while he was in custody, after authorities released him only when the disease had become terminal. According to the TR724 news website, Ömer Alaca, 42, spent 502 days in Van Prison following his 2018 arrest. […] The post Dismissed Turkish civil servant dies after cancer goes untreated in prison until final stage appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf2d ago

European accreditation body reviews İstanbul University over annulment of Erdoğan rival’s diploma

A European higher education accreditation agency has launched a review of İstanbul University’s business administration faculty over the controversial annulment of diplomas belonging to 28 graduates, including jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main political rival, Turkish Minute reported. According to a report by the Halk TV news website, the Germany-based Agency […] The post European accreditation body reviews İstanbul University over annulment of Erdoğa...

stockholm-cf3d ago

Turkish court hands down reduced sentences to veteran journalists Ilıcak, Altan in third retrial

A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced veteran journalists Nazlı Ilıcak and Ahmet Altan to reduced prison terms in their third retrial on charges of “aiding a terrorist organization without being a member of that organization,” the Bianet news website reported. The İstanbul 26th High Criminal Court sentenced Ilıcak to more than three years in prison […] The post Turkish court hands down reduced sentences to veteran journalists Ilıcak, Altan in third retrial appeared first on Stockholm Center f...

stockholm-cf3d ago

Court gives journalist suspended sentence, orders release after 3 months in pretrial detention

A Turkish court sentenced jailed journalist Enver Aysever to 10 months in prison on Thursday for “inciting hatred and enmity” due to remarks he made in criticism of right-wing ideology but ordered his release after suspending the sentence, Turkish Minute reported, citing the Anka news agency. Aysever, 54, had been in pretrial detention since December […] The post Court gives journalist suspended sentence, orders release after 3 months in pretrial detention appeared first on Stockholm Center f...

stockholm-cf4d ago

Police raid another main opposition-run municipality in southern Turkey

Turkish police on Wednesday raided city hall in the opposition-run Mersin Metropolitan Municipality in southern Turkey as part of a corruption investigation, a move that comes amid growing pressure by the government on municipalities controlled by the country’s main opposition party, Turkish media reported. Officers from the provincial police department’s organized crime unit searched city […] The post Police raid another main opposition-run municipality in southern Turkey appeared first on S...

stockholm-cf5d ago

126 workers died in occupational accidents in Turkey in February: İSİG

At least 126 individuals died in work-related incidents across Turkey in February, according to a new report from the Health and Safety Labour Watch Turkey (İSİG). Construction saw the heaviest losses with 27 deaths, accounting for 22 percent of all fatalities. It was followed by transportation with 17 percent.  The report, compiled using information gathered from national […] The post 126 workers died in occupational accidents in Turkey in February: İSİG appeared first on Stockholm Center fo...

stockholm-cf5d ago

Turkey’s main opposition leader faces new probe over remarks targeting court in İmamoğlu trial

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel on accusations of insulting a panel of judges in remarks he made after the first hearing in the trial of jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Turkish Minute reported. The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement on […] The post Turkey’s main opposition leader faces new probe over remarks targeting court in İmamoğlu trial appeared first on Stockholm Ce...

stockholm-cf6d ago

Turkish police briefly detain mothers of jailed military cadets during İstanbul demonstration

Turkish police on Sunday briefly detained the mothers of military cadets and newly commissioned lieutenants as they gathered in İstanbul to read a press statement calling for justice for their children, who are serving life sentences for allegedly participating in a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. According to the Aktif Haber news website, plainclothes […] The post Turkish police briefly detain mothers of jailed military cadets during İstanbul demonstration appeared first on Stockholm Center ...

stockholm-cf6d ago

Thousands march in İstanbul for Women’s Day despite ban

Thousands of women marched through İstanbul to mark International Women’s Day late Sunday, defying a ban on demonstrations, with the rally taking place without incident despite a heavy police presence, Agence France-Presse reported. Although the authorities shut several nearby metro stations and issued a ban on demonstrations, the Feminist Night March was allowed to go […] The post Thousands march in İstanbul for Women’s Day despite ban appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf9d ago

Turkey’s judicial crisis deepens as Council of State defies Constitutional Court

Turkey’s Council of State has refused to comply with a Constitutional Court ruling concerning the dismissal of an academic who signed a 2016 petition criticizing military operations in the country’s Kurdish southeast, raising fresh concerns about compliance with the top court’s binding decisions. The case is linked to the Academics for Peace, a group of […] The post Turkey’s judicial crisis deepens as Council of State defies Constitutional Court appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf9d ago

Purged Turkish military officer remains jailed despite second medical report saying he cannot survive in prison

A panel of Turkish medical experts has declared for the second time that a military officer imprisoned for nearly a decade is too ill to stay in custody, yet Maj. Mehmet Gürler, who has advanced multiple sclerosis and relies on a wheelchair, remains in a prison in Istanbul. According to the TR724 news website, the […] The post Purged Turkish military officer remains jailed despite second medical report saying he cannot survive in prison appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf9d ago

Turkey blocks 41 social media accounts for ‘disinformation’ in Iran war posts

Turkey has imposed access restrictions on 41 social media accounts and removed 75 pieces of online content over what a senior official described as a disinformation and psychological operations campaign targeting the country following the start of attacks on Iran. Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a statement on X on Friday that authorities had identified […] The post Turkey blocks 41 social media accounts for ‘disinformation’ in Iran war posts appeared first on S...

stockholm-cf10d ago

X account of creator of children’s YouTube channels blocked in Turkey after antisemitic backlash

The X account of a Turkish Jewish creator behind several major children’s YouTube channels has been blocked for users in Turkey following an antisemitic backlash triggered by a television broadcast targeting him. Users in Turkey attempting to access the account of Melih Abuaf now see a notice stating that the profile has been withheld in […] The post X account of creator of children’s YouTube channels blocked in Turkey after antisemitic backlash appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf11d ago

ECtHR questions Turkey over refusal to pay retirement bonus to dismissed civil servant

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has asked the Turkish government whether the refusal to pay a retirement bonus to a civil servant dismissed by an emergency decree after a 2016 coup attempt amounted to a violation of his rights to property, a fair trial and an effective remedy. The case concerns İbrahim Eren, […] The post ECtHR questions Turkey over refusal to pay retirement bonus to dismissed civil servant appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf11d ago

Turkish teacher with life-threatening anemia returned to prison despite deteriorating health

A Turkish teacher imprisoned over alleged links to the Gülen movement has been returned to prison after a brief hospitalization, even as doctors said she required emergency surgery and that her blood levels had fallen below life-sustaining thresholds, her husband said. According to the TR724 news website, Asuman Birinci, a physics teacher held at an […] The post Turkish teacher with life-threatening anemia returned to prison despite deteriorating health appeared first on Stockholm Center for ...

stockholm-cf12d ago

Turkish gov’t ‘weaponizing the justice system’ to ‘remove İmamoğlu from politics’: HRW

Turkish authorities are using criminal prosecutions and pretrial detention to push İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) presidential candidate, out of politics, as the jailed mayor prepares to go on trial on March 9 in a corruption case with 407 defendants, Turkish Minute reported, citing Human Rights Watch (HRW). “The […] The post Turkish gov’t ‘weaponizing the justice system’ to ‘remove İmamoğlu from politics’: HRW appeared first on Stockholm ...

stockholm-cf13d ago

New indictment seeks additional prison term for jailed Istanbul mayor over alleged misuse of municipal funds

Prosecutors in Turkey have filed a new indictment against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, seeking up to two years in prison on charges that he misused municipal funds while serving as a district mayor from 2014 to 2019, according to court documents, Turkish media reported. The indictment, drafted by the Special Crimes Investigation Bureau of the […] The post New indictment seeks additional prison term for jailed Istanbul mayor over alleged misuse of municipal funds appeared first on Stockholm ...

stockholm-cf16d ago

Youth leader of Turkey’s main opposition faces probe over İmamoğlu banner

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into a local youth leader from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) over a banner featuring jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Turkish media reported. Deniz Turan, the CHP’s youth wing leader in Erzincan province, was summoned to give a statement to prosecutors on accusations of “praising crime and […] The post Youth leader of Turkey’s main opposition faces probe over İmamoğlu banner appeared first on Stockholm Center for Fr...

stockholm-cf16d ago

Turkish MP alleges abuse of minors detained over protests against Syrian offensive in Kurdish region

A pro-Kurdish opposition lawmaker on Friday accused Turkish authorities of subjecting minors to strip-searches, physical violence and coercive interrogations after they were detained and jailed during protests over a Syrian government offensive in a Kurdish-controlled region of northern Syria. According to the Bianet news website, Beritan Güneş, a lawmaker from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy […] The post Turkish MP alleges abuse of minors detained over protests against Syrian offensive i...

stockholm-cf17d ago

Turkish court acquits mayor months after defection to ruling AKP

A Turkish court on Wednesday acquitted Aydın Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu of bid-rigging charges, six months after she defected from the main opposition to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) amid increasing pressure on opposition mayors. According to the Birgün daily, the Aydın 4th Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted Çerçioğlu and several co-defendants, while […] The post Turkish court acquits mayor months after defection to ruling AKP appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf2d ago

Former AKP lawmaker sued for damages for allegedly insulting Erdoğan

Hüseyin Kocabıyık, a former lawmaker from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), is facing a lawsuit seeking non-pecuniary damages over his alleged insults of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Kocabıyık said in a post on X that the lawsuit seeks 400,000 lira (around $9,100) in compensation. He criticized the case, writing, “Apparently they are strengthening […] The post Former AKP lawmaker sued for damages for allegedly insulting Erdoğan appeared first on Stockholm Center for Free...

stockholm-cf2d ago

Mayor detained in western Turkey as crackdown on main opposition deepens

Turkish authorities have detained an opposition mayor in western Turkey as part of a bribery and misconduct investigation, the latest move in an expanding legal campaign targeting municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkish Minute reported. Ömer Günel, the mayor of Kuşadası, a large resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast, was […] The post Mayor detained in western Turkey as crackdown on main opposition deepens appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf3d ago

Opposition party leader put under house arrest in Turkey for allegedly insulting Erdoğan

A Turkish court on Tuesday placed Nurullah Efe Ankut, leader of the People’s Liberation Party (HKP), under house arrest on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Evrensel daily reported. The İstanbul 4th Criminal Magistrate of Peace rejected a prosecutor’s request for Ankut’s pretrial detention but imposed house arrest and a travel ban on […] The post Opposition party leader put under house arrest in Turkey for allegedly insulting Erdoğan appeared first on Stockholm Center f...

stockholm-cf3d ago

Turkish prosecutors investigate X account sharing İmamoğlu’s statements

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into a social media account that shares statements from jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) presidential candidate, Turkish Minute reported. The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into the X account “@CAOIletisim,” which belongs to […] The post Turkish prosecutors investigate X account sharing İmamoğlu’s statements appeare...

stockholm-cf4d ago

Press freedom in Turkey deteriorated further in 2025 amid systematic pressure: report

Press freedom in Turkey continued to deteriorate in 2025 amid judicial harassment, censorship, violence and economic pressure, according to a report by leading international press freedom organizations. The report, which followed a joint mission to Ankara in November 2025 by representatives of eight international press freedom groups, concluded that Turkey’s media environment is marked by […] The post Press freedom in Turkey deteriorated further in 2025 amid systematic pressure: report appear...

stockholm-cf5d ago

Turkey’s top court finds rights violation in conviction over Gülen links

Turkey’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the conviction of a woman accused of membership in the Gülen movement violated the principle of legality in criminal law, saying the acts cited by lower courts did not clearly establish a criminal offense. According to a decision dated January 6, 2026, recently made public, the court reviewed the […] The post Turkey’s top court finds rights violation in conviction over Gülen links appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf6d ago

Turkish teacher imprisoned over Gülen links says emergency transfusion delayed despite critical blood levels

A Turkish teacher imprisoned over alleged links to the Gülen movement said doctors called for an emergency blood transfusion when she was finally taken to a hospital with critically low blood levels, but claimed the treatment was initially delayed after prison officials said it could not be carried out immediately because of administrative procedures. According […] The post Turkish teacher imprisoned over Gülen links says emergency transfusion delayed despite critical blood levels appeared fi...

stockholm-cf6d ago

Turkish court upholds prison sentence for cancer-stricken teacher dismissed in post-coup purge

Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld a six-year, three-month sentence for a dismissed primary school teacher who has end-stage cancer and a 65 percent permanent disability rating, the TR724 news website reported. Arif Büyükgursak, who was removed from his teaching job without trial under sweeping government emergency decrees in the aftermath of a 2016 […] The post Turkish court upholds prison sentence for cancer-stricken teacher dismissed in post-coup purge appeared first on Stockholm...

stockholm-cf6d ago

14 migrants dead after boat collides with Turkish coast guard vessel off Antalya

Fourteen people died after a boat carrying irregular migrants collided with a Turkish coast guard vessel off the coast of Antalya in southern Turkey early Monday, Turkish Minute reported, citing the DHA news agency. The incident occurred off Finike, a district on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, after the vessel carrying migrants failed to comply with a […] The post 14 migrants dead after boat collides with Turkish coast guard vessel off Antalya appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf9d ago

Turkish prosecutors indict 11 university students over protests following İmamoğlu’s detention

Turkish prosecutors have indicted 11 university students for taking part in protests following the detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March 2025, the TR24 news website reported. The students, all from Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, face charges of “participating in unlawful meetings and marches” and “refusing to disperse despite warnings.” The […] The post Turkish prosecutors indict 11 university students over protests following İmamoğlu’s detention appeared fir...

stockholm-cf9d ago

One year after İmamoğlu’s arrest, Turkey’s opposition faces uncertainty as trial begins

One year after İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was jailed, Turkey’s main opposition is entering a new phase of uncertainty as the politician widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strongest challenger goes on trial in a mass corruption case, Agence France-Presse reported. The first hearing is scheduled for Monday at the Silivri courthouse on the […] The post One year after İmamoğlu’s arrest, Turkey’s opposition faces uncertainty as trial begins appeared first on Stockholm Center for Fr...

stockholm-cf10d ago

Turkey among Europe’s most hostile environments for journalism, Council of Europe report says

Turkey has become one of Europe’s most hostile environments for independent journalism, with a high number of jailed journalists, widespread legal harassment, intimidation and censorship, according to a new report by the Council of Europe’s Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists. The report puts Turkey among the countries with the […] The post Turkey among Europe’s most hostile environments for journalism, Council of Europe report says appeared first on Sto...

stockholm-cf10d ago

Jailed İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu receives 2026 Paweł Adamowicz Award

Ekrem İmamoğlu, İstanbul’s jailed mayor and a leading opposition figure in Turkey, was granted the 2026 Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award at a ceremony in Brussels on Thursday, with the prize accepted on his behalf by acting İstanbul mayor Nuri Aslan, Turkish Minute reported. The award, presented at the European Parliament building, recognizes public figures and […] The post Jailed İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu receives 2026 Paweł Adamowicz Award appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf11d ago

Turkish woman who protested alleged sexual abuse of daughter found dead with child

A Turkish woman who had been publicly calling for justice over the alleged sexual abuse of her daughter was found dead with the child in the Marmara Sea near the shore in İstanbul on Monday, sparking renewed criticism of Turkey’s child and women protection mechanisms. According to Turkish media reports, Fatmanur Çelik, 30, had accused […] The post Turkish woman who protested alleged sexual abuse of daughter found dead with child appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf12d ago

Turkey arrests 182 in latest operations over alleged Gülen links

Turkish authorities have arrested 182 of 298 people detained in nationwide operations over the past two weeks over alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, according to official statements. In a statement issued on Tuesday the Interior Ministry said 298 people were detained during operations carried out across 38 provinces. Of those, 182 were arrested […] The post Turkey arrests 182 in latest operations over alleged Gülen links appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf13d ago

Architect of Turkey’s penal code calls for retrials in Gülen-linked convictions

One of the architects of Turkey’s penal code has called for a special legal arrangement to allow retrials for people convicted on terrorism charges over alleged links to the Gülen movement, arguing that those who did not commit concrete criminal acts should not be labeled as terrorists. In an X post on Monday, Prof. Dr. […] The post Architect of Turkey’s penal code calls for retrials in Gülen-linked convictions appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf13d ago

Turkey investigates 168 signatories of secularism manifesto after Education Ministry complaint

Turkish prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into 168 public figures who signed a manifesto defending secularism, following a complaint by the Ministry of Education, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) reported. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened the probe based on the ministry’s petition, which accuses the signatories of “inciting hatred and […] The post Turkey investigates 168 signatories of secularism manifesto after Education Ministry complaint appea...

stockholm-cf16d ago

Turkish court rejects lifting travel ban on jailed Mayor İmamoğlu’s son to attend scientific conference

A Turkish court has rejected a request to temporarily lift an international travel ban on the son of jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, preventing the young physics researcher from presenting his work at a scientific conference in Germany, According to the Halk TV news website, the İstanbul 40th High Criminal Court denied Mehmet Selim İmamoğlu’s […] The post Turkish court rejects lifting travel ban on jailed Mayor İmamoğlu’s son to attend scientific conference appeared first on Stockholm C...

stockholm-cf16d ago

Press freedom groups demand release of 3 journalists in Turkey

Ten press freedom organizations on Thursday called for the immediate and unconditional release of three journalists arrested in Turkey earlier this month as part of a sweeping counterterrorism investigation targeting left-wing groups and media outlets. In a joint statement, the organizations said the detentions reflect what they described as a systematic effort to criminalize routine […] The post Press freedom groups demand release of 3 journalists in Turkey appeared first on Stockholm Center...

stockholm-cf17d ago

Turkey in ‘fully authoritarian backsliding,’ EU rapporteur says

Nacho Sanchez Amor, the European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur, said Wednesday that Turkey is in “fully authoritarian backsliding,” warning that the appointment of former İstanbul chief public prosecutor Akın Gürlek as the new justice minister would test Ankara’s commitment to EU membership. Presenting his draft annual report on Turkey’s EU accession, Amor said the assessment would […] The post Turkey in ‘fully authoritarian backsliding,’ EU rapporteur says appeared first on Stockholm Center...

stockholm-cf2d ago

CHP youth wing official receives suspended fine over alleged insult during İmamoğlu protests

A Turkish court on Tuesday handed down a suspended fine to Özlem Ünal, a senior official in the youth wing of the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP), for allegedly insulting a police officer in Kocaeli province during protests triggered by the detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. According to the Sözcü daily, the Kocaeli […] The post CHP youth wing official receives suspended fine over alleged insult during İmamoğlu protests appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf3d ago

Turkish appeals court upholds prison sentences for men who reported ruling party lawmaker’s parking violation

A Turkish appeals court has upheld prison sentences for two men who livestreamed police officers while waiting for the traffic police to arrive after reporting what they said was an illegally parked luxury car belonging to a lawmaker from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, the pro-opposition Halk TV reported. The Bursa Regional Court of […] The post Turkish appeals court upholds prison sentences for men who reported ruling party lawmaker’s parking violation appeared first on Stock...

stockholm-cf3d ago

2 Turkmen activists who disappeared in Turkey still missing, fueling fears of unlawful deportation

Two Turkmen activists who disappeared after being released from a Turkish deportation center under a Constitutional Court ruling suspending their removal remain missing, fueling fears they may have been unlawfully deported as authorities remain silent about their whereabouts. The case resurfaced this week after human rights defender and Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) […] The post 2 Turkmen activists who disappeared in Turkey still missing, fueling fears of unlawful deportat...

stockholm-cf4d ago

Filmmaker on trial in Turkey for screening Armenian genocide film

Kurdish filmmaker Rojhilat Aksoy has gone on trial on charges of “publicly insulting the Turkish nation and state institutions” for screening an animated film about the Armenian genocide in Diyarbakır province, Turkish media reported. The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office drafted the indictment, citing scenes and dialogue from the film “Aurora’s Sunrise,” which was screened […] The post Filmmaker on trial in Turkey for screening Armenian genocide film appeared first on Stockholm Cen...

stockholm-cf5d ago

Kurdish journalist indicted in Turkey over news reports, social media posts

Turkish prosecutors have indicted journalist Nedim Oruç from the pro-Kurdish Ajansa Welat news agency on terrorism-related charges over his reporting and social media posts, the Free Press Monitor reported. The Şırnak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses Oruç of multiple offenses, including disseminating terrorist propaganda, concealing his identity during demonstrations, unlawful possession of dangerous materials and […] The post Kurdish journalist indicted in Turkey over news reports, s...

stockholm-cf5d ago

Prosecutors launch probe targeting people who photographed İmamoğlu trial

Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday launched a second criminal investigation in as many days stemming from the corruption trial of jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, this time targeting people who took photographs or videos inside the courtroom and shared them on social media, Turkish Minute reported. The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said it had opened […] The post Prosecutors launch probe targeting people who photographed İmamoğlu trial appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf6d ago

Turkish prosecutors investigate pop star over concert slogans, remarks

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into pop singer Hande Yener over slogans she allegedly chanted with concertgoers and remarks she made on stage during performances in İstanbul and Muğla, the Bianet news website reported. The Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated the probe after a complaint submitted via Turkey’s Presidential Communication Center (CİMER) by […] The post Turkish prosecutors investigate pop star over concert slogans, remarks appeared first on Stockho...

stockholm-cf6d ago

Landmark trial begins in Turkey against jailed Erdoğan rival İmamoğlu

İstanbul’s jailed mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu went on trial Monday in a sweeping corruption case critics say is a politically motivated attempt to derail his chances of challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Agence France-Presse reported. But the hearing — which began around 11:00 am (0800 GMT), got off to a bumpy start, with the judge suspending […] The post Landmark trial begins in Turkey against jailed Erdoğan rival İmamoğlu appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf9d ago

Religious communities in Turkey face systematic rights violations, US report says

Religious communities in Turkey face systematic and severe violations of their religious freedom, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said in its 2026 annual report, recommending that the country be put on the US State Department’s Special Watch List. The report documents continuing barriers faced by religious communities, including Alevis, Protestants and Jehovah’s […] The post Religious communities in Turkey face systematic rights violations, US report says appea...

stockholm-cf9d ago

Turkish prosecutors open probe after 19-year-old alleges torture at Istanbul police station

Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation after a 19-year-old man alleged he was beaten and sexually assaulted by police officers while in custody at a police station in Istanbul, the Aktifhaber news website reported. The Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said it had launched the inquiry the same day the allegations surfaced, stating that judicial […] The post Turkish prosecutors open probe after 19-year-old alleges torture at Istanbul police station appeared first on Stoc...

stockholm-cf9d ago

Turkish court hands down suspended sentences to 2 business leaders over gov’t criticism

A Turkish court on Friday handed down suspended sentences to two senior executives of the country’s leading business group over speeches critical of government policies, Turkish Minute reported, citing the T24 news website. The İstanbul 28th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled that Orhan Turan, chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD), and […] The post Turkish court hands down suspended sentences to 2 business leaders over gov’t criticism appeared first...

stockholm-cf10d ago

Turkey detained 8 journalists, arrested 5 in February: main opposition lawmaker

Turkish authorities detained eight journalists and arrested five in February, while reporters appeared in court at least 50 times during the month, according to a press freedom report released by a lawmaker from the country’s main opposition party. According to the Cumhuriyet daily, the monthly report was published by Utku Çakırözer, a former journalist and […] The post Turkey detained 8 journalists, arrested 5 in February: main opposition lawmaker appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf10d ago

Turkey’s Crackdown on the Main Opposition and the Kurdish Political Movement: 2025 in Review

Turkey’s political opposition faced intensifying pressure in 2025, with the judiciary emerging as the primary instrument for targeting dissenting voices. The most far-reaching measures were directed at the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the country’s main opposition and winner of the 2024 local elections. From the arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to investigations targeting other […] The post Turkey’s Crackdown on the Main Opposition and the Kurdish Political Movement: 2025 in Review...

stockholm-cf11d ago

1,267 miners killed in work accidents in Turkey since 2013: report

A total of 1,267 miners have died in work-related accidents in Turkey since 2013, according to a new report by the Health and Safety Labour Watch Turkey (İSİG). Coal mines accounted for the largest share of fatalities, with 682 deaths (55 percent). Marble quarries followed with 178, while stone quarries recorded 132 deaths. Crushing and […] The post 1,267 miners killed in work accidents in Turkey since 2013: report appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf12d ago

Turkish opposition mayor arrested, suspended from office pending trial

A Turkish court on Monday ordered the arrest of Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), with the Interior Ministry subsequently suspending him from office pending trial. According to Turkish media, the Bolu 2nd Criminal Magistrate of Peace ordered the arrest of Özcan on misconduct charges as part […] The post Turkish opposition mayor arrested, suspended from office pending trial appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf13d ago

Turkish prosecutors investigate journalists, quake victims’ relatives over criticism of court experts

Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into six relatives of victims of earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey in February 2023 and two journalists over their criticism of court-appointed experts whose reports led to the release of several suspects on trial over deadly building collapses. According to the Birgün daily, the Kahramanmaraş Public Prosecutor’s Office opened […] The post Turkish prosecutors investigate journalists, quake victims’ relatives over criticism of court ...

stockholm-cf13d ago

3 journalists released under judicial supervision after detention over İncirlik footage

Three journalists detained over video footage filmed near İncirlik Air Base in southern Turkey have been released under judicial supervision, Turkish Minute reported, citing the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). An Adana court ordered the release of Anka News Agency editor-in-chief Kenan Şener, Koza TV reporter Sergen Ölçer and Koza TV general manager Mehlika Bilen, imposing […] The post 3 journalists released under judicial supervision after detention over İncirlik footage appeared f...

stockholm-cf16d ago

US religious freedom commission urges State Department to place Turkey on watch list over treatment of Christians

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Thursday urged the State Department to put Turkey on its special watch list, citing continued targeting of foreign-born Protestants and broader ongoing restrictions on religious freedoms in the country. The USCIRF said in a statement that Turkish authorities continue to label foreign-born Protestants as national […] The post US religious freedom commission urges State Department to place Turkey on watch list over trea...

stockholm-cf17d ago

Uyghur man detained in Turkey faces possible deportation to China

A Uyghur man with a long-term residence permit in Turkey faces possible deportation to China after being detained by Turkish security forces, raising concerns among the Uyghur diaspora over their safety and rights in the country. Yakup Celil was taken into custody on Tuesday and put in administrative detention at a removal center, according to […] The post Uyghur man detained in Turkey faces possible deportation to China appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm-cf17d ago

Turkish broadcaster faces backlash over segment targeting Jewish creator behind major children’s YouTube channels

A Turkish broadcaster is facing backlash after airing a segment that invoked an antisemitic trope to depict the Jewish founder of several major children’s YouTube channels as a threat to Turkish children. The segment, broadcast by TVNet, opened with the line “This man, who is Jewish, is controlling the minds of Turkish children.” The report […] The post Turkish broadcaster faces backlash over segment targeting Jewish creator behind major children’s YouTube channels appeared first on Stockholm...