Turkish authorities are intensifying a years-long crackdown on critics ahead of the NATO military alliance summit in Ankara, scheduled for 7–8 July.
Bloomberg reports that the country is showing growing intolerance of dissent.
Police detained Turkish journalists Buse Söğütlü and Ceren Erdoğdu last weekend, along with dozens of academics and lawyers.
Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the detentions were part of an operation against a banned left-wing group.
Comedian Deniz Göktas, whose recent stand-up performance drew 11 million views on YouTube, was arrested last week on charges including insulting the president. He denies the allegations and has been sent to a high-security prison.
Dozens of Turkish journalists—mostly from leading and opposition outlets—were denied accreditation to cover the summit. NATO said it relied on the Turkish government’s assessment of these media workers.
The Journalists Association of Turkey said it is concerned about the detention of its colleagues ahead of the summit, warning that the crackdown threatens the public’s right to information and undermines freedom of the press and speech.
Bloomberg notes that tensions have been rising in recent months between US President Donald Trump and European leaders over security commitments and the war with Iran. NATO leaders acknowledge Turkey’s growing importance as a strategic defence partner. This means criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his heavy-handed methods is unlikely to be voiced openly. Even the European Union—whose membership Turkey has unsuccessfully sought for decades—has responded cautiously.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s best-known rival, who was detained last year on corruption allegations, is due to appear in court today in three separate cases. In May, a court removed Özgür Özel, the leader of İmamoğlu’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
On Monday, Erdoğan is expected to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and the following day he is set to meet Trump.