Turkey has seen a significant number of arrests being made for “terrorism” ahead of crucial elections. The police detained at least 110 individuals on Tuesday as part of an “anti-terrorist” operation that targeted the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) just three weeks before the pivotal elections in May. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is battling to continue his decades-long rule, and the polls are predicting a tight race between his AKP Party and opposition candidate Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, who several other political parties have united behind.
The Diyarbakir Bar Association reported that the arrests took place in 21 provinces, including in Diyarbakir, which has a Kurdish majority. The association stated that the police detained “twenty lawyers, five journalists, three actors, and a politician” and that lawyers were banned from contacting their clients for 24 hours. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), a Turkish non-profit, reported that the homes of many individuals, including journalists, lawyers, and NGO leaders, were searched early in the morning. The MLSA suggested that the number of arrests could climb to 150.
President Erdogan has been ruling Turkey since 2003, but his popularity has taken a hit in recent years due to the country’s collapsing economy and allegations of authoritarianism. The devastating twin earthquakes in early February, which killed more than 50,000 and left millions homeless, have further dented his popularity, with some criticizing the government’s slow response and lax attitude towards building regulations. In October, new laws were introduced that increased authorities’ control over social networks, leading human rights activists to express concern about what they considered another step towards authoritarianism. The upcoming elections on 14 May are expected to be a tight race between Erdogan’s AKP Party and the opposition.
Whether writing about complex technical topics or breaking news stories, my writing is always clear, concise, and engaging. My dedication to my craft and passion for storytelling have earned me a reputation as a highly respected article writer.