A large-scale wave of political arrests continues in Turkey: law enforcement officers detained at least 30 people, including representatives of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and local authorities.
According to the BBC, citing the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for 47 people in Istanbul and the city of Adana. The detainees include local mayors, city administration officials and members of the CHP party.
This is the fifth wave of arrests that began after the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In March, he was convicted on charges of corruption and “aiding a terrorist organisation”. Imamoglu categorically denies all charges.
The arrest of the opposition mayor provoked mass protests across the country. According to the prosecutor’s office, 819 people were detained for participating in these actions, and 20 criminal proceedings were opened against them.
During the latest wave, which took place on Saturday, security forces conducted four special operations in two cities. The detainees include opposition officials, district mayors and representatives of local CHP structures.
The international community has already reacted. In March, the UN OHCHR expressed “grave concern” about the widespread repression, while Amnesty International called the Turkish authorities’ actions “draconian measures”.
