Türkiye on an arresting spree (again)

Let me just note that the Daily Sabah citations represent the government’s dominant view on these arrests and are not really journalistic at all.

Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the far-right Victory Party (ZP), was recently arrested in Turkey. Here’s an overview of his situation:

Arrest and Charges

• Özdağ was initially detained on January 20, 2025, in Ankara on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[1][3].
• He was later arrested on January 21, 2025, on more serious charges of “publicly inciting hatred and hostility”[1][2].
• The arrest was ordered by a court in Istanbul, where he was transferred for legal proceedings[1][3].

Reasons for Arrest

• The prosecution cited 11 of Özdağ’s social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) as evidence[5][6].
• He was also held responsible for anti-Syrian refugee riots that occurred in Kayseri province last year[5][9].
• Özdağ is known for his harsh anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric, which authorities claim has fueled public animosity[1][4].

Legal and Political Context

• The charges of inciting public hatred carry a potential prison sentence of one to three years under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code[2].
• Özdağ’s arrest has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Good Party (İP)[3][5].
• Some view the arrest as politically motivated, with opposition leaders claiming it represents interference in the judiciary[5][11].

Current Status

• Özdağ is currently being held in Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul[3][6].
• His party, the Victory Party, won 2.2% of the vote in the 2023 legislative elections[1][4].
• The legal proceedings against Özdağ are ongoing, and a trial date has not yet been set[1][11].

Citations:

1. Far-Right Party Chair Özdağ Arrested for Inciting Hatred – Daily Sabah
2. Turkish Far-Right Leader Arrested Over Public Incitement to Hatred and Enmity – Duvar English
3. Özdağ Arrested on Charges of Inciting Violence – Hürriyet Daily News
4. Far-Right Party Leader in Türkiye Detained for Insult, Inciting Public – Daily Sabah
5. Türkiye’s Victory Party Leader Ümit Özdağ Faces Trial for Inciting Hatred – Al Jazeera
6. Turkey’s Far-Right Politician Arrested – AP News
7. Main Political Rival in Turkey Faces Investigation – Bloomberg
8. Turkey Opposition Leader to Stand Trial for Inciting Public Hatred – Reuters
9. Ümit Özdağ: A Profile in Hate-Mongering – Daily Sabah
10. Turkey’s Opposition Faces Barrage of Arrests, Investigations – Reuters
11. Turkey Opposition Leader to Stand Trial for Inciting Public Hatred – Hindustan Times
12. Ümit Özdağ – Wikipedia

Alparslan Kuytul

Alparslan Kuytul, the leader of the anti-government Furkan Foundation, was recently detained in Adana province on charges of abduction[1]. The detention is related to allegations that Kuytul orchestrated the kidnapping of Koray Sarısaçlı, a former administrator of the Furkan Foundation. Sarısaçlı claims he was abducted, held for 13 days, tortured, and forced to sign promissory notes worth $7 million[1].

Key points regarding Kuytul’s situation:

• He faces charges of kidnapping, robbery, and inciting injury[1].
• This is not Kuytul’s first encounter with law enforcement. He was previously arrested in 2018 on charges of running a criminal organization and fraud, and later faced additional charges of supporting FETÖ[1].
• Kuytul’s lawyer has reported that his client is under psychological pressure in prison[6].
• He is being held in a one-person cell in Ağrı prison, 900 kilometers from his hometown of Adana[6].
• His telephone privileges have been restricted, and he is not allowed to socialize with other inmates[6].

Ayşe Barım

However, she was arrested today due to her alleged involvement in organizing the Gezi Park protests! That’s how the judicial process goes on:(

Ayşe Barım, the founder of ID Communication (ID Iletisim), one of Turkey’s leading talent management agencies, is at the center of a major investigation into alleged monopolistic practices in the entertainment industry[3][4].

Key developments in Barım’s case:

• The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into Barım and her agency[2].
• A foreign travel ban has been imposed on Barım due to concerns she might attempt to leave the country[5].
• The investigation includes allegations of tax evasion, bribery, and unethical business practices[3].
• One of the most significant accusations involves a allegedly fabricated romantic relationship between actor Serenay Sarıkaya and singer Mert Demir, supposedly orchestrated by Barım for financial gain[4].
• The Turkish Competition Authority has launched a formal investigation into 21 management agencies and casting companies, including Barım’s agency[5].
• Barım’s request to block media coverage of the allegations against her was rejected by Istanbul’s Magistrates’ Court[3].

Citations:

1. Cult Leader Detained Over Kidnapping in Turkey – Daily Sabah
2. New Decision in Investigation Process Against Ayşe Barım – Railly News
3. Serenay Sarıkaya to Testify as Court Rejects Ayşe Barım’s Media Block Request – Türkiye Today
4. Behind the Spotlight: Power Scandals in Türkiye’s Entertainment – Daily Sabah
5. $5M Fake Romances & Blacklisting: Türkiye’s Cartel-Like Entertainment Industry – Türkiye Today
6. Lawyer for Arrested Furkan Foundation Leader Says Client Under Psychological Pressure in Prison – Stockholm Center for Freedom
7. Furkan: Turkey’s Genuine Islamic Movement – Crescent International
8. Prison Administration Restricts Telephone Access of Islamic Preacher Critical of Government – Stockholm Center for Freedom