Tag: nato summit

Anti-NATO protest in Ankara: Nearly 100 people detained

7 July 2026

Police intervened against people who had gathered at Kurtuluş Park in Ankara in response to a call by the “No to NATO Coordination,” detaining a large number of people, including representatives of political organizations.

On the first day of the 36th NATO Summit, held in Ankara on July 7–8, police intervened in a protest planned for Kurtuluş Park in Ankara at the call of the “No to NATO Coordination.”

Members of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MPs Kezban Konukçu and Perihan Koca, Labor Party (EMEP) MPs İskender Bayhan and Sevda Karaca, Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) Chair and MP Erkan Baş, and People’s Houses Chair Sevinç Hocaoğulları were among a group that was surrounded by police around 11 a.m.

The groups under siege frequently chanted slogans such as “Murderer NATO, collaborator AKP,” “NATO get out, this country is ours,” and “Imperialists, collaborators, don’t forget the 6th Fleet.”

According to a post on the Ankara branch of the Association of Contemporary Lawyers (ÇHD)’s X account, 22 TİP students attempting to march toward Kurtuluş Park and approximately 75 people in Dikmen were detained “under torture and ill-treatment.” In addition, numerous individuals—including Halkevleri President Sevinç Hocaoğulları, Ece Ünsal, and ÇHD member Şevval Sarı—were also detained. According to the post by the ÇHD Ankara Branch, nearly 100 people were detained during today’s protests.

Police, who also intervened in the march held on Dikmen Street, detained Halkevleri Chairperson Sevinç Hocaoğulları, Halkevleri Secretary-General Özgür Ersoy, Legal Secretary Döndü Kurşunoğlu, and Central Executive Committee (MYK) member Nebiye Merttürk, subjecting them to the torture of being handcuffed behind their backs. Footage showed police in the detention vehicle attempting to silence Nebiye Merttürk, a member of Halkevleri’s Central Executive Committee (MYK), by squeezing her mouth and throat.

Kezban Konukçu, spokesperson for the Socialist Solidarity Platform (SODAP) and DEM Party Member of Parliament, stated in a statement following the police intervention: “Right now, at the meeting point where we gathered to go to Kurtuluş Park, they are detaining people one by one right beside us. They are beating and torturing them. We gathered to say, ‘NATO, get out—this country is ours.’ NATO is a war organization. We will not allow NATO supporters to have a foothold in this country.”

Interference with media workers

Police also intervened against media workers who were covering the protests and filming the detentions.

Erkan Baş, General Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Turkey, noted that Ankara has been under siege for days, stating, “They are detaining and arresting our friends, but they cannot silence the voices opposing imperialism, NATO, and its local collaborators in this country. “Today, we have shown once again that these voices cannot be silenced,” he said. Baş also noted that the police intervened not only against the demonstrators but also against the press covering the protests.

What had happened?

Ahead of the 36th NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, all forms of press statements, marches, sit-ins, setting up booths, distributing leaflets, hanging posters and banners, and hunger strikes were banned throughout the city from June 28 to July 10 by order of the governor’s office.

Number of Arrests Rises to 236 Ahead of NATO Summit

As part of summit preparations, Ankara’s main roads, diplomatic transit routes, and accommodation areas were closed off. Transportation and access to many areas were restricted around Beştepe, Söğütözü, Anadolu Boulevard, Mevlana Boulevard, Dumlupınar Boulevard, Atatürk Boulevard, and Ankara Boulevard.

Ahead of the NATO Summit, during house raids that continued across Turkey from late June until the day of the summit, a large number of people—including academics, lawyers, students, union members, and political party representatives—were detained. Among those detained was Niha+ reporter Abbas Vural. Of those detained in late June, 236 were subsequently arrested.

Niha+ reporter Abbas Vural’s detention period has been extended to 4 days

Niha+ reporter Abbas Vural’s detention period has been extended to 4 days

7 July 2026

While a confidentiality order remains in place regarding the case of Niha+ reporter Abbas Vural who was among those detained during home raids conducted ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, his detention period has been extended to 4 days. It has been reported that Vural was beaten during his detention.

The detention period for Abbas Vural, a Niha+ reporter who was taken into custody following a home raid on July 5, ahead of the NATO Summit scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara, has been extended to four days.

Attorney Elif Yetigin stated that, due to a confidentiality order on the case, they do not yet know what Vural is accused of, adding that defense attorneys have not been allowed to review the case file until the interrogation process begins.

The raid was carried out by breaking down the door

Meanwhile, details regarding Abbas Vural’s detention have begun to emerge. According to information obtained, special operations and Counter-Terrorism Branch (TEM) police officers jointly broke down the door of the home where Vural was staying and entered the premises early yesterday morning (July 5). The police, who woke up the occupants by assaulting them, pinned Vural and those with him to the ground with their hands cuffed behind their backs. After seizing phones and computers and obtaining the passwords to the electronic devices, the police identified the occupants, allowed them to change their clothes, and took them into custody.

Police officers got in by breaking down the door, Photo: Niha+

Confirming these events, Yetigin stated that the individuals, including our reporter Vural, documented the beatings and mistreatment they suffered during medical examinations at the hospital to which they were taken after their arrest.

Police officers scattered the belongings and books inside the house, Photo: Niha+

Detentions before NATO summit

Turkish police have arrested several journalists, rights activists, academics and members of leftist groups, according to media and unions in Turkey on late June.

Number of Arrests Rises to 236 Ahead of NATO Summit

Detention operations carried out across Turkey ahead of the NATO summit continued on July 5. In simultaneous home raids conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kocaeli, Antalya, Dersim, Urfa, Çanakkale, and Bursa, a large number of people—including academics, lawyers, students, union members, and political party representatives—were taken into custody. It is known that some of the detentions were part of the “Turquoise Operation” carried out ahead of the NATO Summit.

Among those detained were Ezgi Önalan, President of the Istanbul Branch of the Association of Contemporary Lawyers (ÇHD), and association member Yunusemre Işık; Gürkan Gülseven, a member of the Executive Board of Halkevleri; Gülcan Şahin, President of the Antalya Halkevi; and the entire branch management; members of the Turkish Workers’ Party (TİP), Emek Youth, and the Kaldıraç Movement, as well as central and local executives of the Private Sector Teachers’ Union (Yiğit Pertev, Diğde Simay Pertev, and Mehmet Akif Karaca); academic Sibel Özbudun; and writer Temel Demirer.

In addition, press organizations such as DİSK Basın-İş and the Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG) had expressed their opposition on social media to the detention of Niha+ reporter Abbas Vural, T24 foreign news editor Buse Söğütlü, and Oda TV editor Ceren Erdoğdu.

Number of Arrests Rises to 236 Ahead of NATO Summit

7 July 202628 June 2026

As part of the home raids conducted ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, 58 more people were arrested this morning and sent to prison.

Investigations continued ahead of the NATO Summit, scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara. Of the 225 people taken into custody during home raids conducted in Ankara on the morning of June 23 under the name “Operation Turkuaz” ahead of the NATO Summit, a total of 178 had been arrested. This morning, arrest warrants were issued for 58 people taken into custody as part of the same operation.

103 of the 209 people detained ahead of the NATO summit have been arrested

In the operations, which involved 46 teams and 396 personnel, 58 people—reported to be wanted on charges of “terrorism, narcotics, security, and public order”—were taken into custody. After undergoing procedures at the police station, the 58 individuals were transferred to the courthouse, where they were detained by the court and sent to prison. This brings the total number of detainees to 236.

On Thursday, 34 people were released under house arrest, while 6 were released by order of the prosecutor’s office. Among those detained that day were volunteers from the TEMA Foundation; Yıldız Tar, Editor-in-Chief of Kaos GL; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Memiş, a faculty member at Ankara University; Hediye Yıldırım, a member of the Executive Board of Halkevleri; Burcu Arıkan, spokesperson for Umut-SEN; and attorneys Semra Demir and Kürşat Bafra from the Contemporary Journalists’ Association (ÇHD).

The Ankara Governor’s Office had banned all types of activities—including meetings, demonstrations, marches, press conferences, sit-ins, and rallies—in the city for 13 days, from 12:00 a.m. on June 28 to 11:59 p.m. on July 10, due to the NATO Summit scheduled for June 7–8.

103 of the 209 people detained ahead of the NATO summit have been arrested

26 June 2026

Of the 209 people detained ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, 103 have been arrested. Journalist Yıldız Tar is among those arrested.

The 209 people detained during home raids conducted on the morning of June 23 ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara have completed their police interrogations and been referred to the prosecutor’s office. Of those detained on charges of “being a member of an organization” and “spreading organizational propaganda,” 135 have completed their police procedures.

Of the 129 people referred to the magistrate’s court with a request for detention, 103 were detained, while 26 were placed under judicial supervision.

Among those detained are Nevzat Özer, Ankara Representative of the TEMA Foundation, Hediye Yıldırım, member of the Halkevleri Executive Board, Burcu Arıkan, spokesperson for Umut-SEN, Yıldız Tar, Editor-in-Chief of Kaos GL, lawyers Semra Demir and Kürşat Bafra from the Contemporary Journalists’ Association (ÇHD), and Associate Professor Dr. Emel Memiş.

Numerous detentions and stray animals rounded up ahead of NATO summit

Journalist Yıldız Tar was asked about the “Year of the Family”

According to information shared by Kaos GL, while journalist Yıldız Tar was not asked any questions regarding NATO during her interrogation, she was asked for her views on the government’s “Year of the Family” policies.

The Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association posted the following on its social media accounts regarding Yıldız Tar’s arrest:

“Journalist Yıldız Tar, who was detained during operations carried out in Ankara ahead of the NATO Summit, was remanded in custody by the magistrate’s court. Tar had been detained during operations conducted on June 23. A detention order was issued for Tar, who was among those brought to court today.

The detention of journalist Yıldız Tar, who was taken into custody as part of the operations carried out ahead of the NATO Summit, constitutes an interference with press and freedom of expression.

We demand the immediate release of journalist Yıldız Tar and call for an end to all forms of pressure and interference targeting press freedom.”

In a statement, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office claimed that the investigation was aimed at “uncovering the actions and activities of terrorist organizations across the country.”

Procedures for the other detainees are still ongoing at the police station.

Çiçek: What is the connection between these detentions and public safety?

Cengiz Çiçek, an Istanbul MP from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), brought the detention of politicians, trade unionists, journalists, academics, lawyers, and LGBTI+ activists—carried out as part of an operation by the Ankara Police Department—to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Çiçek’s written question reads as follows:

What is the basis for the dawn raids that led to the detention of hundreds of citizens—including politicians, union leaders, journalists, academics, lawyers, and LGBTI+ activists—ahead of the NATO Summit? Have these individuals’ democratic and peaceful activities been deemed a threat to public safety?
Were the mass detentions and bans on gatherings and demonstrations carried out under Operation Turkuaz intended to suppress democratic opposition and social dissent ahead of the NATO Summit? What is the connection between these measures and public safety?
What is the purpose of detaining journalists, lawyers, academics, union leaders, and politicians—who are prominent in social and political spheres—through dawn raids, door-breaking, and the use of handcuffs behind the back? What message are these measures intended to send to the public and the democratic opposition?
What is the justification for the 13-day ban on all meetings and demonstrations in Ankara? Has this ban effectively nullified the right to assembly and demonstration, which is guaranteed by Article 34 of the Constitution?
Have any administrative or criminal investigations been launched against the law enforcement personnel responsible for the police violence that occurred at the Ankara TEM Branch? If not, what is the reason?
What is the legal justification for refusing to allow a representative from the Ankara Bar Association, who had come to take minutes, into the building? Does this practice not reinforce a culture of impunity by preventing oversight of law enforcement officers’ actions?

Numerous detentions and stray animals rounded up ahead of NATO summit

23 June 2026

Ahead of the NATO summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, numerous people were detained during house raids. Among the 209 detained individuals are Elif Torun Öneren, the Chairperson of the Revolutionary Party, Hediye Yıldırım, a member of the Executive Board of Halkevleri, and journalist Yıldız Tar. A 24-hour restriction on lawyer access has been issued for the case file.

Following the Ankara Governorship’s 13-day ban on all demonstrations and events across the city for the NATO summit to be held on July 7–8, 2009 people were detained during morning raids targeting the homes of those who participated in anti-NATO protests.

During simultaneous morning house raids, numerous individuals from various institutions were detained, including the New Democratic Youth (YDG), the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), the Free University Movement, the Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), the People’s Law Office, and the Union of Precarious Unemployed Workers (UMUT-SEN). According to a statement by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, detention warrants were issued for a total of 241 people, and 209 individuals have been detained so far. A 24-hour restriction on lawyer access was imposed on those detained.

Backlash against rounding up stray animals

The Ankara Governorship had previously announced that, on the grounds of “ensuring summit security,” various bans would be implemented from 00:00 on June 28 until 23:59 on July 10, ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8.

On the other hand, ahead of the NATO Summit, the Ankara Provincial Security Directorate requested the rounding up of street dogs, particularly along the routes the delegation will pass and around accommodation areas. The official letter sent to municipalities requesting the rounding up of stray animals drew sharp criticism from various segments of society, led by animal rights defenders.

Melodi Zengin from the İzmir Life Rights Defenders stated, “We do not accept the rounding up of animals for the murderer NATO.” Zengin noted that rounding up animals is the product of a completely “anthropocentric” perspective that rejects ecological integrity.

The press release issued by the Turkey’s Ankara Governorship regarding the restrictions is as follows:

“Within the scope of the 36th NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7–8, 2026; necessary security measures have been taken both to ensure the security of the summit and to maintain the peace and safety of our citizens by preserving public order. Accordingly, the following decisions have been made.

In order to prevent actions/activities that violate the provisions of Articles 6–10 and 22 of the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, which state, ‘Meetings cannot be held in parks, places of worship, buildings and facilities performing public services and their annexes, and within an area of 1 km from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. In meetings held in public squares, it is mandatory to comply with the regulations to be made by the Governorships and District Governorships to ensure the passage of the public and transport vehicles’;

Based on the provision of Article 17 of the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, which states, ‘The regional governor, governor, or district governor may postpone a specific meeting for a period not exceeding one month, or ban it if there is a clear and imminent danger of a crime being committed, for the purpose of protecting national security, public order, prevention of crime, public health and public morals, or the rights and freedoms of others,’

and Article 11/C of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442, which states, ‘It is among the duties and responsibilities of the Governor to ensure peace and security, personal immunity, safety regarding disposition, public welfare, and to exercise preventive law enforcement authority within provincial borders. (Additional sentence: 25/7/2018-7145/1 art.) The Governor takes the necessary decisions and measures to ensure these’;

Taking into account the protests previously held by various groups in places where guests will be accommodated and where the meeting will take place, as well as the calls made by these groups through social media;

For the purposes of ensuring national security, the reputation of our country, the peace and security of citizens, public order, the prevention of crime, and protecting the rights and freedoms of others, as well as the life safety of the delegations participating in the summit at the highest level;

ACROSS OUR PROVINCE,

Preventing the entry of unauthorized vehicles and individuals into designated sensitive areas, particularly the zones where the summit will be held, places where the delegation will stay, and transition routes,

Banning all kinds of unmanned aerial vehicle (drone, etc.) flights in the airspace of our province between the specified dates (except with the permission of the Governorship),

BANNING all kinds of open and closed area gatherings, meetings and demonstration marches, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-ins, protest actions, rallies, setting up stands, pitching tents, distributing flyers/manifestos/brochures, hanging posters/banners, etc., actions/activities within the scope of Article 11/C of Law No. 5442 and Article 17 of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, from 00:00 on June 28, 2026, until 23:59 on July 10, 2026 (for a duration of 13 days), necessary decisions have been made.

Respectfully announced to the public.”