Ankara (Turkey), 23 June (LaPresse/AP) – More than 200 people, accused of having links to extremist groups including ISIS, were arrested today in Ankara in a series of large-scale raids ahead of next month’s NATO summit. This was reported by the local authorities. According to some media reports, however, the arrested include politicians and activists, which has led to accusations of arbitrary arrests. Prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 241 suspects, 209 of whom were subsequently taken into custody during raids by the police and gendarmerie in the Ankara area, according to a statement from the chief prosecutor’s office. US President Donald Trump is expected to join other NATO leaders in Ankara for the summit on 7–8 July. Turkey is planning stringent security measures for the summit, including a ban on demonstrations and restrictions on access to roads leading to airports, as well as the closure of areas surrounding the summit venue and the hotels hosting the delegations. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has prioritised security, and the authorities carry out regular security operations. Last month, security forces arrested 324 people suspected of links to ISIS during a nationwide operation. Among those arrested were 56 alleged Islamic State militants and 35 members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party–Front, a far-left group known for armed attacks and murders in Turkey, according to the chief prosecutor’s office. Birgun, an independent left-wing daily, and other media outlets reported that those detained also included a politician, an LGBTQ activist and at least three lawyers believed to be close to left-wing groups. This has raised fears that the government may be using security as a pretext to silence critics and prevent potential anti-NATO demonstrations during the summit. “This arbitrary wave of detentions and arrests targeting left-wing and socialist organisations reveals once again the state the country has reached,” said the pro-Kurdish People’s Democracy and Equality Party (DEM). “Turning Ankara into a giant prison with bans imposed ahead of the NATO summit is unacceptable,” it added.
Turkey: Raids in Ankara ahead of NATO summit: 209 arrests
Ankara (Turkey), 23 June (LaPresse/AP) – More than 200 people, accused of having links to extremist groups including ISIS, were arrested today in Ankara in a series of large-scale raids ahead of next month’s NATO summit. This was reported by the local authorities. According to some media reports, however, the arrested include politicians and activists, which has led to accusations of arbitrary arrests. Prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 241 suspects, 209 of whom were subsequently taken into custody during raids by the police and gendarmerie in the Ankara area, according to a statement from the chief prosecutor’s office. US President Donald Trump is expected to join other NATO leaders in Ankara for the summit on 7–8 July. Turkey is planning stringent security measures for the summit, including a ban on demonstrations and restrictions on access to roads leading to airports, as well as the closure of areas surrounding the summit venue and the hotels hosting the delegations. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has prioritised security, and the authorities carry out regular security operations. Last month, security forces arrested 324 people suspected of links to ISIS during a nationwide operation. Among those arrested were 56 alleged Islamic State militants and 35 members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party–Front, a far-left group known for armed attacks and murders in Turkey, according to the chief prosecutor’s office. Birgun, an independent left-wing daily, and other media outlets reported that those detained also included a politician, an LGBTQ activist and at least three lawyers believed to be close to left-wing groups. This has raised fears that the government may be using security as a pretext to silence critics and prevent potential anti-NATO demonstrations during the summit. “This arbitrary wave of detentions and arrests targeting left-wing and socialist organisations reveals once again the state the country has reached,” said the pro-Kurdish People’s Democracy and Equality Party (DEM). “Turning Ankara into a giant prison with bans imposed ahead of the NATO summit is unacceptable,” it added.
