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# turkeypurge.org

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Emotional reunion of 9-year-old daughter, disabled father after 20 months in Turkish prison](https://turkeypurge.org/emotional-reunion-of-9-year-old-daughter-disabled-father-after-20-months-in-turkish-prison/) - When a 9-year-old girl finally got to see her imprisoned father again, cameras were rolling, and so were the tears. According to a video footage posted by Turkish journalist Sevinç Özarslan, Bilal Konakçı, a purge-victim bomb disposal expert who was jailed on terror and coup charges in early 2021, has recently been released from prison.
- [Dementia-suffering Kurdish politician released from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/dementia-suffering-kurdish-politician-released-from-prison/) - Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk was released from prison late on Thursday night after a medical report confirmed that she was not fit to stay in prison due to dementia, the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. The 57-year-old woman was arrested in December 2016 and was diagnosed with
- [The head of Turkey’s doctors’ union sent to prison on terror accusations](https://turkeypurge.org/the-head-of-turkeys-doctors-union-sent-to-prison-on-terror-accusations/) - Şebnem Korur Fincancı, the head of Turkey’s doctors’ union, was sent to prison by a court on Thursday, according ot the Turkish media. Fincancı, 63, was initially detained at her home in İstanbul on Wednesday on allegations of spreading “terrorist propaganda” after she urged a probe into the army’s alleged use of chemical weapons against
- [Turkish police detain 543 people in 59 provinces over alleged Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-543-people-in-59-provinces-over-alleged-gulen-links/) - Turkish police have detained at least 543 people in 59 provinces across Turkey for “providing financial support” to families of imprisoned “Gulenists” over alleged links to the 2016 coup attempt. According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the suspects are accused of either receiving financial assistance or distributing financial assistance sent by Gülen followers abroad
- [Son of purge-victim judge jumps to his death from İstanbul’s Galata Tower](https://turkeypurge.org/son-of-purge-victim-judge-jumps-to-his-death-from-istanbuls-galata-tower/) - A 26-year-old university student jumped to his death from the observation deck of Galata Tower on Wednesday reportedly due to depression caused by the imprisonment of his father in a post-coup purge. The youngster, name Emre Güney, was the son of Haşim Güney, a former member of the Council of State who was imprisoned in
- [Turkish gov’t seeks extradition of critical journalist Cevheri Güven](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-seeks-extradition-of-critical-journalist-cevheri-guven/) - Turkish governments is officially seeking the extradition of Germany-based Turkish journalist Cevheri Güven whose weekly Youtube videos attract hundreds of thousands viewers around the world. Güven reports extensively on the Turkish government’s corruption and murky relations with mafia and crime groups,. According to a Friday report in the pro-government Sabah daily, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization
- [14 more military cadets set free after 6 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/14-more-military-cadets-set-free-after-6-years-in-prison/) - At least fourteen more military cadets who had been incarcerated in İstanbul’s Silivri prison for over six years on coup charges, were released on September 30 based on a recent ruling by Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals. Turkey experienced a controversial military coup attempt on the night of July 15, 2016 which, according to many,
- [This Kurdish youngster in 6th year in Silivri prison on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/this-kurdish-youngster-in-6th-year-in-silivri-prison-on-coup-charges/) - This Kurdish youngster, named Abdülillah Sarıtaş, is in the 6th year of his imprisonment over alleged involvement in the coup attempt in 2016. He has been in İstanbul’s notorious Silivri prison. According to a report by journalist Sevinç Özarslan, Sarıtaş was only in the 2nd month of his mandatory military service on the night of
- [Constitutional court rejects jailed Kurdish youngster’s appeal for release](https://turkeypurge.org/constitutional-court-rejects-jailed-kurdish-youngsters-appeal-for-release/) - Turkey’s Constitutional Court has rejected an application for release filed by Kadri Sancar, a 22-year-old Kurdish youngster who has been held in İzmir prison since 2015. “I just want to die. Constitutional Court has rejected our application. My brother has been in prison since the age of 17. My mother burst into tears after receving
- [Turkish police accompanied by state-run TRT cameramen detain 30 in midnight house raids](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-accompanied-by-state-run-trt-cameramen-detain-30-in-midnight-house-raids/) - Heavily-armed Turkish police along with a group of cameramen from the state-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) have detained at least 30 people, including municipal employees in the southern province of Mersin where a police officer was killed in an attack on police quarters on Monday night. According to a video footage on social media,
- [Purge-victim police officer dies after accident at a mining site in Gebze](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-police-officer-dies-after-accident-at-a-mining-site-in-gebze/) - Kani Önen, a police officer who was dismissed by a decree issued by the Turkish government in the aftermath of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, died on September 20 at a mining site in Gebze district, journalist Sevinç Özarslan reported. According to the report, he was acquitted of all charges by a Turkish
- [Turkish mob boss: Erdogan gov’t asked me to murder American pastor Andrew Brunson](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-mob-boss-erdogan-govt-asked-me-to-murder-american-pastor-andrew-brunson/) - A reputed mob boss said in an interview on July 22 that he was asked by the Turkish government to murder Andrew Brunson, an American Pastor who spent some two years in a Turkey prison over alleged terrorism and espionage-related charges “AK Party wanted to kill him [Brunson] and blame it on FETO. […] They
- [Turkey jails mother of imprisoned military cadet](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-jails-mother-of-imprisoned-military-cadet/) - Melek Çetinkaya, the mother of one of the military cadets who were imprisoned in the aftermath of a failed military coup in July 2016, was sent to prison early on Friday. According to Çetinkaya’s daughter, Rüveyda, she was jailed for “praising a crime and those who committed it.” Melek Çetinkaya is the mother of Furkan
- [Turkish President calls on parliament to pass laws banning social media platforms](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-president-calls-on-parliament-to-pass-laws-banning-social-media-platforms/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the Turkish parliament to pass laws that ban social media platforms, including Twitter and Netflix, due to the “recent increase of immoral acts” on these platforms. The President’s address came a day after at least 19 social media users posted tweets insulting Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, his daughter
- [9 international human rights groups call on Turkish gov’t to release political prisoners in face of COVID-19 outbreak](https://turkeypurge.org/9-international-human-rights-groups-call-on-turkish-govt-to-release-political-prisoners-in-face-of-covid-19-outbreak/) - 9 international human rights groups have called on governments aroud the world, NGOs and the UN to push the Turkish government to release political prisoners and “condemn its use of the pandemic to further target human rights defenders.” The right groups — Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, Article 19, English PEN, Freedom House, Human
- [U.S. House Committee Chair calls on Turkish President Erdogan to release purge-victim prisoners in face of COVID-19 outbreak](https://turkeypurge.org/u-s-house-committee-chair-calls-on-turkish-president-erdogan-release-purge-victim-prisoners-in-face-of-covid-19-outbreak/) - Eliot L. Engel, Democrat of New York and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote a letter last week calling on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to release journalists, civil society activists, and members of the political opposition “who do not appear to have committed any criminal acts.” Rep. Engel’s letter came in
- [Counter-terrorism units raid house of Adana family over “financial aid” to purge-victim families](https://turkeypurge.org/counter-terrorism-units-raid-house-of-adana-family-over-financial-aid-to-purge-victim-families/) - Police teams armed with machine guns raided a house in Adana belonging to a family accused of “giving financial support” to the purge-victims who were either jailed or fired from their jobs over Gülen links. Among the detainees is a woman with a six-month old baby (see the pictures below), and an 75-year-old man. According
- [3 more opposition deputies stripped of parliamentary status in Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/3-more-opposition-deputies-stripped-of-parliamentary-status-in-turkey-report/) - Three lawmakers, Leyla Güven, Musa Farisoğulları from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Enis Berberoğlu from the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP), were stripped of their lawmaker status on Thursday, Reuters reported. Berberoğlu was convicted for “disclosing government secrets” while Güven and Farisoğulları are were convicted of “being a member of a terrorist organization.” “This disregards
- [First inmate dies from COVID-19 complications at İstanbul’s Silivri Prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/first-inmate-dies-from-covid-19-complications-at-istanbuls-silivri-prison-report/) - An inmate has died from an apparent complication related to COVID-19 at Silivri Prison in istanbul, according to a statement by the İstanbul Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the same statement, the number of coronavirus cases in the facility has reached 82. The inmate was hospitalized on May 7 and succumbed to the
- [Turkish woman says she was tortured with acid in police custody: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-woman-says-she-was-tortured-with-acid-in-police-custody-report/) - Esra Yurt, a Turkish woman who was detained as part of an investigation into Turkey’s Gulen group, said in an interview that she had her feet burned with acid in police custody at the notorious Ankara Anti-Terror Branch (TEM). Speaking to Turkish journalist Sevinç Özarslan in an exclusive interview on Friday, Yurt said she was
- [Turkish journalist tests positive for COVID-19 in Ankara’s Sincan prison](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-journalist-tests-positive-for-covid-19-in-ankaras-sincan-prison/) - Çetin Çiftçi, a Turkish journalist who has been sentenced to 6 years, 3 months in prison on charges of membership in a terrorist organization, has tested positive in Ankara’s Sİncan prison. According to the Jailed Journos Twitter account, Çiftçi suffers from renal failure and cardiac disease. Çiftçi was a reporter for the Bugün daily, which
- [COVID-19 hits Turkey’s notorious Silivri prison with at least 191 inmates test positive: report](https://turkeypurge.org/covid-19-hits-turkeys-notorious-silivri-prison-with-at-least-191-inmates-test-positive-report/) - At least 191 inmates in İstanbul’s notorious Silivri Prison, have so far tested positive for COVID-19 , according to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, an opposition member of the Turkish parliament and a rights activist. Gergerlioğlu said in a tweet late on Sunday that eight of the infected inmates were taken to the intensive care unit of
- [Turkish commentator says her family is ready to execute people for Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-commentator-says-her-family-is-ready-to-execute-people-for-erdogan/) - Sevda Noyan, an Islamist TV commentator, said during a live TV interview that she regrets the fact that she failed to kill more people on the night of the July 15 coup attempt in 2016, adding that her family is now fully-prepared and is capable of “executing” some 50 people for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- [Turkish justice minister: 120 prisoners tested positive for COVID-19 to date](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-justice-minister-120-prisoners-tested-positive-for-covid-19-to-date/) - A total of 120 prisoners across Turkey have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Turkish Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül announced on Tuesday. “They are all receiving treatment in the hospital,” Gül said. “There are no prisoners in intensive care, and their condition is generally good.” Gül said new arrivals
- [Netflix removes a Designated Survivor episode at request of Turkish government](https://turkeypurge.org/netflix-removes-a-designated-survivor-episode-at-request-of-turkish-government/) - Netflix has removed an episode of the Designated Survivor, an American political thriller drama television series, from its streaming service in Turkey upon a demand from the country’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK). The show’s 7th episode in season two depicts that a fictitious Turkish president, portreyed by Troy Caylak, accuses the POTUS, portreyed
- [Turkish opposition to take Erdogan-supported release bill to Constitutional Court](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-opposition-to-take-erdogan-supported-release-bill-to-constitutional-court/) - Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has said it is preparing to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court about a controversial early release bill aimed at reducing the country’s prison population amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the T24 news website reported on Tuesday. The move was announced by CHP deputy group chairman Engin Özkoç
- [Turkish journalist says she is not released despite completion of prison term](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-journalist-says-she-is-not-released-despite-completion-of-prison-term/) - Turkish journalist Büşra Erdal said in a letter that she continues to “languish” in a prison despite completion of her prison term, the Gülen-friendly website TR724 reported. “As of March 2020, I completed a total of 3 years, 8 months in prison. This means I qualify for a release on probation,” Erdal said. Erdal used
- [Turkish parliament passes coronavirus release bill that excludes political prisoners](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-parliament-passes-coronavirus-release-bill-that-excludes-political-prisoners/) - Turkey’s parliament passed a bill on Tuesday that will allow the release of tens of thousands of prisoners as part of the country’s ongoing struggle against the COVID-19 epidemic. Political prisoners who are convicted or being held in pre-trial detention over “terror or/and coup” links are exempted. In other words, thousands of purge-victims are exempted.
- [Turkish court arrests amateur comedian for “insulting” Ataturk](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-arrests-amateur-comedian-for-insulting-ataturk/) - A Turkish court has ruled to imprison an amateur comedian on charges of insulting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, and the famous mystic Rumi in his shows, according to Turkish media reports. A video posted on social media last week showed comedian Emre Günsal making jokes about the drinking habits of Atatürk
- [Purge-victim nuclear cardiology professor invited to the USA over “promising coronavirus vaccine research”](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-nuclear-cardiology-professor-invited-to-usa-over-promising-coronavirus-vaccine-research/) - Murat Sadıç, a nuclear cardiology professor who reportedly spent over a year in a Turkish prison in 2017 over alleged coup charges, has been invited to the United States due to his “promising coronavirus vaccine research” in Germany. According to the Bold Medya news portal, Sadıç was fired from his job with a government decree
- [Prison riot in southeast Turkey over coronavirus fears](https://turkeypurge.org/prison-riot-in-southeast-turkey-over-coronavirus-fears/) - Inmates at a prison in the Kurdish-majority city of Batman staged a riot over fears of contamination amid a coronavirus outbreak that has seen more than 25,000 infections and over 500 deaths in the country. The unrest took place in Batman’s Type-M closed prison early on Saturday, according to journalist Ahmet Kanbal, who posted video
- [İHD calls on Turkish gov’t to release 1564 vulnerable prisoners with fatal diseases in face of COVID-19 outbreak](https://turkeypurge.org/ihd-calls-on-turkish-govt-to-release-1564-vulnerable-prisoners-with-fatal-diseases-in-face-of-covid-19-outbreak/) - The Human Rights Association (İHD) has called on the Turkish government to release a total of 1564 inmates with fatal diseases in the face of COVID-19 outbreak in the country. The İHD released a detailed list of these prisoners who are at risk of contracting the the virus as they are held in unhygienic conditions
- [One million tweets call on Turkish authorites to release purge-victims to stem COVID-19](https://turkeypurge.org/one-million-tweets-call-on-turkish-authorites-to-release-purge-victims-to-stem-covid-19/) - More than one million people took to Twitter over the weekend to call on Turkish authorites to release purge-victim prisoners across the country to stem Covid-19. Turkey’s overcrowded, unhygienic prisons are a perfect breeding ground for the pandemic. Turkish government is reportedly preparing a judicial reform package, which includes the release of thousands of prisoners
- [Coronavirus-related complaints reported in 26 Turkish prisons: report](https://turkeypurge.org/coronavirus-related-complaints-reported-in-turkish-26-prisons-report/) - The Civil Society Association for the Department of Corrections (CISST) has said that from March 20 to 24 it received complaints from 26 prisons related to COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the Diken news website. Turkey has not confirmed any cases in correctional institutions, and Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül last week
- [EP rapporteur calls on Turkey to release purge-victim journalists, civilians to stem COVID-19](https://turkeypurge.org/ep-rapporteur-calls-on-turkey-to-release-purge-victim-journalists-civilians-to-stem-covid-19/) - The European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur, Nacho Sanchez Amor, has called on the Turkish government to release hundreds of imprisoned journalists, lawyers, activists and human rights defenders within the scope of a new amnesty bill drafted due to serious health concerns posed to inmates by the novel coronavirus. “According to news, Turkish Gov is planning an
- [Coronavirus hits Turkish prisons with first inmate case reported](https://turkeypurge.org/coronavirus-hits-turkish-prisons-with-first-inmate-case-reported/) - The first Turkish prisoner has allegedly tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Ömer Turanlı, a Turkish lawyer, tweeted on Tuesday that a 70-year-old man at Ankara’s Sincan prison tested positive and “taken into intensive care.” The claim has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Turkish authorities, at time of writing. Turkey’s overcrowded, unhygienic prisons
- [32 bar associations call on Turkish authorities to release prisoners due to coronavirus outbreak](https://turkeypurge.org/32-bar-associations-call-on-turkish-authorities-to-release-prisoners-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak/) - As Turkish authorities confirm rapidly increasing cases of the novel coronavirus, 32 bar associations across the country released a joint statement on Wednesday calling for a number of urgent measures aimed at protecting people in the country’s overcrowded prisons and for the immediate release of high-risk inmates. The statement pointed out that there are currently
- [Purge-victim Turkish academic with a PhD thesis on Coronavirus disease demands reinstatement](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-turkish-academic-with-a-phd-thesis-on-coronavirus-disease-demands-reinstatement/) - Mustafa Ulaşlı, a Turkish academic with a PhD thesis on Coronavirus disease, has called on Turkish authorities to reinstate him to his job as part of efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. “I’m probably the only person with a Phd thesis on Coronavirus in Turkey. Although I was acquitted
- [Coronavirus: Arrestees, inmates at Edirne, Balıkesir prisons under quarantine due to possible link to COVID-19](https://turkeypurge.org/coronavirus-arrestees-inmates-at-edirne-balikesir-prisons-under-quarantine-due-to-possible-link-to-covid-19/) - Inmates and arrestees at state prisons in Edirne and Balıkesir provinces were quarantined on Tuesday due to possible link to COVID-19 pandemic, the Boldmedya newsportal reported. Turkey has a total of 384 prisons. Based on figures provided by the Justice Ministry, 229,790 people are in prisons with a total capacity of 207,339. Only 141,802 out
- [Pro-government columnist says Gulenists are worse than Coronavirus disease](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-government-columnist-says-gulenists-are-worse-than-coronavirus-disease/) - Nedim Şener, a pro-government columnist, said during a live interview that Gülenists are worse than the COVID-19 outbreak, which has recently been declared a global pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO). “Coronovirus is a disease that may be dealth with, someday. But Feto [Gulenism] is not. It is an infidelity that does not leave one’s
- [20 of 80 university students sent to prison in Ankara over alleged Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/20-of-80-university-students-sent-to-prison-in-ankara-over-alleged-gulen-links/) - At least 20 of eighty university students who were detained by Ankara police last week, were put in pre-trial detention on Wednesday over alleged links to Gulen group. According to the Bold news, among the arrestees is the son of Ali Özer, a 48-year-old medical doctor who died of a heart attack in Çorum Prison
- [Turkey blocks access to Oda TV news website](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-blocks-access-to-oda-tv-news-website/) - Access to opposition news portal Oda TV was blocked by a Turkish court late on Thursday. The court ruling came a day after Barış Terkoğlu, the news director of the Oda TV news portal, was sent to prison over his reports regarding the 34 Turkish soldiers who were killed in airstrikes in Syria’s Idlib last week.
- [Oda TV news director sent to prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/oda-tv-news-director-sent-to-prison-report/) - Barış Terkoğlu, the news director of the Oda TV news portal, was sent to prison late on Wednesday, according to Turkish media. Terkoğlu was reportedly put in pre-trial detention over his reports regarding the 34 Turkish soldiers who were killed in airstrikes in Syria’s Idlib on Thursday. He was detained by Turkish police in a house
- [Purge-victim mother, son depart for Germany for cancer treatment after months-long legal struggle](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-mother-son-depart-to-germany-forcancer-treatment-after-months-long-legal-struggle/) - Zekiye Ataç, the mother of an 8-year-old cancer patient, has finally been allowed to accompany her son for treatment abroad, following an exhaustive, months-long struggle aided by human rights activists and public figures to overturn a travel ban imposed on her due to an investigation over Gülen links. Haluk Levent, a Turkish rock star and
- [Turkish police detain Oda TV journalist in a house raid: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-oda-tv-journalist-in-a-house-raid-report/) - Barış Terkoğlu, the news director of the Oda TV news portal, was detained by Turkish police in a house raid early on Wednesday morning, according to journalist Barış Pehlivan. “Oda TV’s news director, my frined, journalist Barış Terkoğlu was detained by police in a house raid in the wee hours of the morning, just like
- [Turkish baklava maker Faruk Güllü gets 8 years in prison on terror, coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-baklava-maker-gulluoglu-gets-8-years-in-prison-on-terror-coup-charges-report/) - Faruk Güllü, one of the owners of the leading baklava maker Güllüoğlu Baklava, was given a prison sentence of eight years, nine months over links to Turkey’s Gülen group, accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. The group denies any involvement in the attempt. The same court also ruled for Güllü’s release due to
- [Turkish police detain human rights activist: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-human-rights-activist-a-day-after-fundraising-for-cancer-patient/) - Arlet Natali Avazyan, an Armenian-origin Turkish human rights activist, was detained following a police raid on her house on Tuesday. The reason for her detention is currenlty unknown. Avazyan is known in Turkey with her tweets that are in critical of the Turkish government. Last week, She launched a fundraising campaign and raised €50,000 in
- [Turkey seeks life in prison for Turkish businessman Osman Kavala](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-life-in-prison-for-turkish-businessman-osman-kavala/) - A prosecutor is seeking life in prison for Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and a human rights activist, for “seeking to overthrow the government” through the Gezi Park protests in 2013. According to the Turkish media, two other suspects — Yiğit Aksakoğlu and Mücella Yapıcı — are also facing life in prison on similar charges.
- [Turkish pilot fired from job after criticizing government on live TV interview](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-pilot-fired-from-job-after-criticizing-government-on-live-tv-interview/) - Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines has fired one of its pilots after he openly criticized the Turkish government on a live TV interview following a Pegasus passenger plane skidding off the runway last Wednesday. Bahadır Altan, a former military pilot who was working for the company as a technical consultant and trainer, tweeted Saturday that his contract
- [Take Action: Sign petition to reunite purge-victim mother with 8-year old cancer patient son in Germany ||](https://turkeypurge.org/take-action-sign-petition-to-reunite-purge-victim-mother-with-8-year-old-cancer-patient-in-germany/) - An online petition has been launched to re-unite an eight-year-old Turkish kid who is receiving cancer treatment in Germany, with his mother, who is not allowed to leave Turkey due to a travel ban. The kid — Ahmet Burhan Ataç, — went to Germany on January 26 for a cancer treatment without his parents as
- [Turkish police detain woman with 22-day-old infant over terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-woman-with-22-day-old-infant-over-terror-charges-report/) - Büşra Öztürk, a Turkish woman with a 22-day-old baby, was detained by police in Ankara on Wednesday for alleged links to the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016. The group denies any involvement in the failed attempt. According to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a member of parliament and
- [Turkish police detain 1,768 over Gülen links throughout January: Interior Ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-1768-over-gulen-links-throughout-january-interior-ministry/) - Turkish police have detained a total of 1,768 people throughout January over alleged links to the Gülen group, an Interior Ministry spokesperson announced on Tuesday. The group is accused by the government of orchestrating an abortive putsch in 2016 despite its denial of any involvement, Following the coup 2016 attempt, the Turkish government launched a
- [Turkish businessman Osman Kavala to remain in prison: court](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-businessman-osman-kavala-to-remain-in-prison-court/) - A Turkish court ruled on Thursday to keep renowned Turkish businessman and rights advocate Osman Kavala in pre-trial detention. The next hearing on his case is set for Feb. 18. Fifteen other defendants are on trial along with Kavala, who is currently the only one in prison. The ruling was made although the European Court
- [Purge-victim commissioned officer commits suicide at İstanbul mosque](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-commissioned-officer-commits-suicide-at-istanbul-mosque/) - Adem Gürbüz, a commissioned officer who spent some five months in prison after a coup attempt in 2016, committed a suicide at a mosque in İstanbul. According to pro-Kurdish HDP deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, Gürbüz suspended from his job after the coup attempt and spent some five months in prison until he was released on
- [Garanti Bank called to account by BBVA after denying purge-victim doctor a checking account](https://turkeypurge.org/garanti-bank-called-to-account-by-bbva-after-denying-purge-victim-doctor-a-checking-account/) - Garanti Bank, a financial services company based in Turkey, has been called to account by BBVA, a Spanish multinational financial services company, after it recently refused to open a checking account to a purge-victim medical doctor because the the latter was dismissed from his job by a government decree in the aftermath of a 2016
- [Man with one kidney being held in prison for over 9 months despite high risk of kidney failure](https://turkeypurge.org/man-with-one-kidney-being-held-in-prison-for-over-9-months-despite-high-risk-of-kidney-failure/) - Ramazan Sarıkaya, a Turkish man with one kidney, has been held in a prison for over nine months on coup, terror charges even though his remaining kidney works at around 35 percent capacity. According to pro-Kurdish HDP Deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, Sarıkaya is at an imminent risk of kidney failure and thus must be released
- [Leaked napkin reveals 10 female teachers, 1 dentist held in degrading prison conditions in Şanlıurfa](https://turkeypurge.org/leaked-napkin-reveals-10-female-teachers-1-dentist-held-in-degrading-prison-conditions-in-sanliurfa/) - A piece of napkin that was leaked from Turkey’s Şanlıurfa prison has revealed that ten female teachers, one dentist and one housewife have been held in degrading prison conditions for months on terror and coup charges. According to the Bold news, the arrestees have repeatedly been denied medical care although some of them suffer from
- [Purge-victim engineer denied release from prison despite stage 4 liver cancer](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-engineer-denied-release-despite-stage-4-liver-cancer/) - Abdülazim Özdemir, a 49-year-old Turkish engineer who was jailed in the aftermath of a failed coup in 2016, has been denied release from prison despite having been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, according to a letter from his wife, who is also in prison, the Bold Medya news website reported. Özdemir has been staying
- [Take Action: Sign petition to support “March of Justice” by mother of imprisoned military cadet](https://turkeypurge.org/take-action-sign-petition-to-support-march-of-justice-by-mother-of-imprisoned-military-cadet/) - An online petition has been launched to support a “March of Justice” that will be carried out by the mother of one of the military cadets who were jailed in the aftermath of a failed military coup in July 2016. Melek Çetinkaya, the mother of Furkan Çetinkaya, one of the cadets at the Turkish Air
- [IIIT cancels book talk due to author’s article in critical of Turkish President Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/iiit-cancels-book-talk-due-to-authors-article-in-critical-of-turkish-president-erdogan/) - The International Institute of Islamic Thought, a privately held non-profit organization based in the USA, canceled a book talk by Ahmet Kuru, a professor of political science at San Diego State University, due to an article in which the author criticized the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “Remove from your calendar! @IIITfriends cancelled my book
- [Turkish gov’t imposed 381 curfews in 11 provinces, 51 districts since August 2016](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-imposed-381-curfews-in-11-provinces-51-districts-since-august-2016/) - Turkish government has imposed at least 381 curfews in the southeastern region of the country between Aug. 16, 2015 and January 1, 2020, according to the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TİHV). The curfews directly affected almost 1.9 million people in 11 predominantly Kurdish provinces and 51 districts, TİHV said. Two hundred fourteen of the curfews
- [Turkey sends Assyrian priest to prison](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-sends-assyrian-priest-to-prison-over-terror-accusations/) - An Assyrian priest from the Mor Yakup Church, also known as Church of Saint Jacob in Nisibis, in the southeastern Turkish province of Mardin, was sent to prison on Friday, Turkish media reported. The reason for the arrest of the priest, Sefer (Aho) Bileçen, is not yet known due to the confidentiality of the investigation
- [Brother, mother of Turkish businessman get lengthy prison sentences on “terror charges”](https://turkeypurge.org/brother-mother-of-turkish-businessman-get-lengthy-prison-sentences-on-terror-charges/) - Cafer Tekin İpek, the brother of Turkish businessman Akın İpek was sentenced to 79 years and 8 months in prison, in addition to a fine of TL 250,000, while his mother Melek İpek was given 11 years and 8 months in prison and a fine of TL 104,100. The two members of the İpek family
- [Turkish gendarmerie with duty military-type weaponry raid Assyrian church, detain priest, 2 others](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-gendarmerie-with-duty-military-type-weaponry-raid-assyrian-church-detain-priest-2-others/) - Turkish gendarmerie with duty military-type weaponry reportedly raided an Assyrian church in Turkey’s Nusaybin district on Thursday, detaining three Assyrian citizens, the ANF news reported. Among the detainees are Aho Bileçen, the priest of the church, Josef Yar, the headman of the Üçköy neighborhood, and Musa Taştekin, an Assyrian man in the scene. Neither the
- [Purge-victim doctor denied checking account by a Turkish bank](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-doctor-denied-checking-account-by-a-turkish-bank/) - Garanti BBVA, a financial services company based in Turkey, refused to open a checking account to a purge-victim medical doctor because he had been dismissed from his job by a government decree in the aftermath of a 2016 failed coup. Pro-Kurdish HDP Deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, the doctor, whose name was not disclosed in the
- [Turkey’s intelligence agency to expand covert operations around the World: President Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-intelligence-agency-to-expand-covert-operations-around-the-world-president-erdogan/) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) will gradually increase its capacity to carry out covert intelligence operations around the World. “In the near future, we are going to cut down on the inland duties of the Turkish intelligence in order to expand its capacity to carry out
- [Turkish Deputy Prime Minister: It is not right to shed tears for purged public officials](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-deputy-prime-minister-it-is-not-right-to-shed-tears-for-purged-public-officials/) - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has said during a live TV interview that it was not right to feel pity for the victims of a massive purge carried out by his party in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in July 2016. “On behalf of this nation, I am asking those who talk
- [High school teacher suffering from multiple heavy diseases held in prison for 20 months](https://turkeypurge.org/high-school-teacher-suffering-from-multiple-heavy-diseases-held-in-prison-for-20-months/) - Uğur Ergüler, a Turkish high school teacher who suffers from multiple heavy diseases, including hemorrhoids, chronic prostatitis and Chiari malformation, has been held in a Zonguldak prison for over 20 months on terror, coup charges. Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into spinal canal. According to a Twitter account, the purge-victim
- [36-year-old woman with a rare genetic disorder held in prison for 6 months on terror, coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/36-year-old-woman-with-a-rare-genetic-disorder-held-in-prison-for-6-months-on-terror-coup-charges/) - Seynur Özdemir, a 36-year-old Turkish woman who suffers from Gardner’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, has been held in a Turkish prison for over over six months on terror, coup charges, the Bold medya reported. According to the report, on Özdemir’s leg, calf to thigh, is a 32-cm cancerous tumor. The purge-victim woman had spent
- [Three years after Turkey’s failed coup attempt, purge still in full gear: 70 air force cadets sentenced to life in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/three-years-after-turkeys-failed-coup-attempt-purge-still-in-full-gear-70-air-force-cadets-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/) - An İstanbul court has handed down life sentences to 70 air force academy cadets on charges of attempting to destroy the constitutional order by means of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The 70 military cadets, who stood trial at the İstanbul 24th High Criminal Court, were jailed for
- [Oppositon Sözcü journalists get lengthy prison sentences on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/oppositon-sozcu-journalists-get-lengthy-prison-sentences-on-terror-charges-report/) - A total of six journalists and one other employee of Sözcü daily, a government-critical newspaper, have been convicted of “aiding the network of Turkey’s Gülen movement, which is accused of masterminding a failed coup in 2016. The movement denies any involvement in the atempt. Emin Çölaşan and Necati Doğru, two veteran Turkish columnists, were sentenced
- [Seized by Turkish Intelligence Service in Kosova, Turkish educator gets 8 years in prison over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/seized-by-turkish-intelligence-service-in-kosova-turkish-educator-gets-8-years-in-prison-over-gulen-links/) - Kahraman Demirez, one of six Turkish nationals who were rendered to Turkey from Kosovo in an intelligence operation last year, has been sentenced to 8 years, 9 months in prison by an İstanbul court, the Anadolu News agency reported. While Demirez was acquitted of charges of international espionage, he was handed down the prison sentence
- [Boston Celtics center Kanter thanks Trudeau for “letting him play basketball in Canada”](https://turkeypurge.org/boston-celtics-center-kanter-thanks-trudeau-for-letting-him-play-basketball-in-canada/) - Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter thanked Canadian Minister Justin Trudeau and his government in a tweet on Wednesday for issuing him a visa to enter Canada to play in the NBA’s first Christmas game in Toronto. Kanter, an outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government, has not traveled outside the United States for
- [This purge-victim kid entered his 3rd year in prison — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/this-purge-victim-kid-entered-his-3rd-year-in-prison-claim/) - Asım Sencer Uslu entered prison when he was only 40-day-old. Yesterday, he turned 3 in a Konya prison, according to a Twitter account that monitors the human rights abuses in Turkish prisons. 3-year-old Asım and his mother have been staying in a prison in Konya’s Eregli district for almost thee years the mother’s alleged links
- [Turkish gov’t removes 4 more opposition mayors from office on terrorism accusations](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-removes-4-more-opposition-mayors-from-office-on-terrorism-accusations/) - Turkey’s Interior Ministry has removed from office three mayors from the Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and one from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) over allegations of terrorism, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. In the southeastern province of Muş, Bulanık district mayor Adnan Topçu, Varto district mayor Ülkü Karaaslan and Erentepe mayor
- [Bosnian authorities set Gülenist educator free after 12 days in detention](https://turkeypurge.org/bosnian-authorities-set-gulenist-educator-free-after-12-days-in-detention/) - A Bosnian court has ruled for the release of Fatih Keskin, the principal of Una-Sana College, part of the Gülen-affiliated Richmond Park Schools Group, who was detained by the Bosnian police on Dec. 4, Bold Medya reported. Keskin was requested to appear at a police station in Bihać city by the Ministry of Interior of
- [562,581 people in Turkey investigated on coup, terror related charges to date](https://turkeypurge.org/562581-people-in-turkey-investigated-on-coup-terror-related-charges-to-date/) - The total number of Turkish citizens who have faced investigation since July 2016 on terror and coup linked charges exceeded half a million by December 2019, according to an opposition party deputy chairman. A total of 562,581 people have been investigated over real and alleged links to the Gülen movement, Feti Yıldız, deputy chairman of
- [Opposition mayor sent to prison over links to Gulen group: report](https://turkeypurge.org/opposition-mayor-sent-to-prison-over-links-to-gulen-group-report/) - İbrahim Burak Oğuz, the mayor of İzmir’s Urla district from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was sent to prison on Monday evening due to alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, the Turkish media reported. Oğuz was reportedy summoned by a prosecutor on Monday to testify in an investigation into the movement and was subsequently arrested
- [Son of imprisoned journalist Mustafa Ünal in police custody: report](https://turkeypurge.org/son-of-imprisoned-journalist-mustafa-unal-in-police-custody-report/) - Enes Ünal, the son of jailed Turkish journalist Mustafa Ünal, was detained by Ankara police, the Bold news reported. The reason for detention remains unclear. Mustafa Ünal was the Ankara bureau chief for the now-closed Zaman daily. He was arrested after a military coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, and was handed down a
- [US Consulate employee to remain in prison: Turkish court](https://turkeypurge.org/us-consulate-employee-to-remain-in-prison-turkish-court/) - A Turkish court rejected a request on Wednesday to release a US Consulate employee jailed since 2017 on espionage charges despite his argument that no credible evidence had been submitted against him, AFP reported. The case of Metin Topuz, a Turkish citizen and liaison for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at the US Consulate
- [Following China, Turkey named 2nd worst jailer of journalists by New York-based CPJ](https://turkeypurge.org/following-china-turkey-named-2nd-worst-jailer-of-journalists-by-new-york-based-cpj/) - The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has listed Turkey as the second worst jailer of journalists in its annual report for the year 2019. The CPJ’s report, released on Wednesday, said this year’s census marks the first time in four years that Turkey has not been the world’s worst jailer but that the
- [Erdogan-critic Turkish cleric set free after 22 months in pre-trial detention](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-critic-turkish-cleric-set-free-after-22-months-in-pre-trial-detention/) - Alparslan Kuytul, president of the Furkan Foundation and leader of a religious group critical of the Turkish government, was released pending trial on Thursday after spending 22 months in pre-trial detention Kuytul is still facing a 20-year prison sentence on terrorism charges. In January, he was released by another court only to be re-arrested several
- [Another Gülenist teacher at risk of deportation from Bosnia: report](https://turkeypurge.org/another-gulenist-teacher-at-risk-of-deportation-from-bosnia-report/) - Bosnian police reportedly detained a Turkish citizen over his alleged membership in the Gülen movement, the Bold Medya news website reported. Fatih Keskin, a Turkish educator and the principal of Una-Sana College, an institute operating within the Gülen-affiliated Richmond Park Schools Group, was detained by the police in Bihać city, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency
- [At least “500 terrorists” still in Turkey, says Turkish interior minister: report](https://turkeypurge.org/at-least-500-terrorists-still-in-turkey-says-turkish-interior-minister-report/) - Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said at a gendarmerie command meeting on Wednesday that at least 500 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants are still in Turkey, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. “We will make all preparations and use all our capabilities to eliminate these 500 terrorists in 2020,” Soylu said. In August, he claimed
- [Turkey sends 3 more Kurdish mayors to prison on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-sends-3-more-kurdish-mayors-to-prison-on-terror-charges-report/) - A Turkish court has arrested three district mayors in the country’s Southeast who were previously removed from office by the Interior Ministry, the Turkish media reported. Savur district Co-mayor Gülistan Öncü, Mazıdağı district Co-mayor Nalan Özaydın and Derik district Co-mayor Mülkiye Esmez, all in Mardin province, who were detained following police raids on Nov.15, were
- [8-year-old cancer patient denied passport due to father’s alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group](https://turkeypurge.org/8-year-old-cancer-patient-denied-passport-due-to-fathers-alleged-links-to-turkeys-gulen-group/) - Ahmet Ataç, an eight-year-old kid with stage four bone cancer, has reportedly been denied a passport by Turkish authorities due to the his father’s ongoing imprisonment over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group. The group is accused by the government of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a pro-Kurdish deputy
- [Video shows İstanbul police assault, detain high school students protesting suspicious death of an 11-year-old](https://turkeypurge.org/video-shows-istanbul-police-assault-detain-high-school-students-protesting-suspicious-death-of-an-11-year-old/) - Newly emerged video footage shows the moment Turkish police used excessive force against a group of high school students protesting the suspicious death of a 11-year-old Turkish girl, Rabia Naz Vatan, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. The victims were reported to be the members of a revolutionary group established by a group of high school sudents
- [Gülenist family at risk of deportation from Germany to Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/gulenist-family-at-risk-of-deportation-from-germany-to-turkey/) - A Turkish family who reportedly has links to Turkey’s Gülen group is at risk of deportation to Turkey by the German authorities, despite evidence that they could face serious harm in the country. According to the Bold news portal, the Gün family has recently had their asylum application rejected by Germany. Merseburg police reportedly raided
- [Ankara man abducted in February “found” at a police station in Ankara: wife](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-man-abducted-42-days-ago-found-at-a-police-station-in-ankara-wife/) - Mustafa Yılmaz, a Turkish man who was allegedly abducted by unidentified people in April, was “found” at a police station in Karapürçek, a town near the Sakarya province, his wife tweeted on Tuesday. According to the, Mr. Yılmaz was transfered to the Ankara Police Department’s Bureau of Organized Crimes after he was found and currently
- [Cambodian police keep Mexican-Turkish national in custody over Gülen links: report](https://turkeypurge.org/cambodian-police-keep-mexican-turkish-national-in-custody-over-gulen-links-report/) - Cambodian police have detained the Turkish-Mexican former director of a school run by the movement of US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen, who Ankara blames for a failed 2016 coup, his wife said on Friday, according to Reuters. Osman Karaca, former director of Zaman International School, was arrested by eight policemen while he was at a
- [Turkey jails pro-Kurdish co-mayors on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-jails-pro-kurdish-co-mayors-on-terror-charges-report/) - Semire Nergiz and Ferhat Kut, co-mayors of a Kurdish-majority town Nusaybin, have been put in pre-trial detention by a Turkish court on terror accusations, the Etha reported. Turkey has launched a crackdown against dissent in its Kurdish-majority areas following its assault against Kurdish-controlled parts of neighboring Syria. Protests have been broken up with tear gas,
- [Purge-victim military cadet dies of cancer weeks after being released from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-military-cadet-dies-of-cancer-weeks-after-being-released-from-prison/) - Bilal Gülfidan, a purge-victim military cadet, died of cancer on Friday, the Askeri Öğrenci Komitesi reported. Gülfidan was among the 259 military cadets have been given aggravated life sentences on coup charges. He was held in prison for over two years until he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in early 2019. A total of
- [Man attacked for speaking Kurdish in public: deputy confirms](https://turkeypurge.org/man-attacked-for-speaking-kurdish-in-public-deputy-confirms/) - Ekrem Yaşlı, a 61-year-old Kurdish man, was physically assaulted for speaking Kurdish at a public hospital in Çanakkale province, the pro-Kurdish HDP deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu confirmed. “Some people still ask why there is a Kurdish problem in Turkey,” Gergerlioğlu tweeted. The Kurdish man was reportedly left bleeding from above the eye and head following
- [Turkish Embassy in Phnom Penh files fraudulent request to extradite Mexican citizen of Turkish origin on coup charges: report by @nordicmonitor ||](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-embassy-in-phnom-penh-files-fraudulent-request-to-extradite-mexican-citizen-of-turkish-origin-on-coup-charges-report-by-nordicmonitor/) - The Turkish Embassy in Phnom Penh attempted to deceive Cambodian authorities to extradite Osman Karaca, a Mexican citizen of Turkish origin, due to his alleged ties to the Gülen group, the Nordic Monitor news website reported. The Turkish government accuses the Gülen group of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt. The latter denies any involvement. To
- [[New Report] Drownings of Turkey’s Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/full-report-drownings-of-turkeys-purge/) - Thousands of people have fled Turkey over the past three years due to a massive witch-hunt launched by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government against its critics such as academics, Kurdish politicians and especially the real or imagined sympathizers of the Gülen group, in the wake of a failed coup attempt on July
- [Police block Kurdish protesters inside HDP building to prevent press release](https://turkeypurge.org/police-blocks-kurdish-protesters-inside-hdp-building-to-prevent-press-release/) - Turkish police on Monday blocked tens of Kurdish protesters inside the Diyarbakır headquarter of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in order to prevent a press release regarding the Operation Peace Spring, a military operation launched by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria. HDP’nin Diyarbakır’da Barış Pınarı
- [Former prosecutor, TV pundit detained hours after release: report](https://turkeypurge.org/former-prosecutor-tv-pundit-detained-hours-after-release-report/) - Gültekin Avcı, a former Turkish prosecutor and TV pundit who was released pending trial on Friday, was detained again on early on Saturday morning, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Avcı was initially detained on Sept. 18, 2015 as part of an investigation into a group of police officers and journalists who were accused of
- [Unidentified gunmen attmpts to abduct Turkish teacher in Ankara: report](https://turkeypurge.org/unidentified-gunmen-attmpts-to-abduct-turkish-teacher-in-ankara-report/) - Three unidentified men attempted to abduct a Turkish teacher in Ankara as he was about to get into his car. The gunmen fled after the victim started shouting and managed to attract a small crowd, according to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a human rights activist and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy. Hayrullah Narin is a public
- [Turkey detains 152 over coup, terror charges in one day](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-152-over-coup-terror-charges-in-one-day/) - Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday ordered the detention of at least 152 people in a massive post-coup crackdown targeting followers of the Gülen movement, the Turkish Minute news portal reported. Turkey accuses the movement of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt, although it denies any involvement. Since the failed coup some 600,000 people have been investigated on
- [87-year-old Kurdish man dies in Maraş prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/87-year-old-kurdish-man-dies-in-maras-prison-report/) - Selim Buğrahan, a 87-year old Kurdish man who has been senenced to 5 years in prison on terror charges, died in a prison in Turkey’s Maraş province, according to pro-Kurdish HDP Deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu. A Twitter account that claims to be a close relative of Mr. Buğrahan, claimed last week that the victim had several
- [Purge-victim teacher dies of heart attack at construction site: report](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-teacher-dies-of-heart-attack-at-construction-site-report/) - M. Emin Epçim, a 46-year-old teacher who was dismissed by a decree issued by the Turkish government in the aftermath of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, died of heart attack at a construction site in Turkey’s Amasya district, pro-Kurdish HDP Deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu tweeted. According to Gergerlioğlu, Epçim had been working at
- [Two Gulen-linked arrestees die in Turkmen prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/two-gulen-linked-arrestees-die-in-turkmen-prison-report/) - Two graduates of Gulen-linked schools in Turkmenistan died of unknown causes last year, according to Canadian journalist Nick Ashdown. “The Diplomat has learned that two political prisoners in Turkmenistan have died of unknown causes in the last year, both of them among the graduates of the country’s Turkish schools who were arrested in 2016 and 2017,” Ashdown
- [2019 European Archaeological Heritage Prize goes to imprisoned Turkish businessman](https://turkeypurge.org/2019-european-archaeological-heritage-prize-goes-to-imprisoned-turkish-businessman/) - The 2019 European Archaeological Heritage Prize has been bestowed on prominent Turkish businessman and activist Osman Kavala who has been held in pre-trial detention in İstanbul’s notorious Silivri Prison since November 2017 on terror and coup charges. According to osmankavala.org, Mr Kavala was granted the prize “for promoting the social values of our shared heritage
- [Turkish gov’t dismisses 41 Kurdish mayors between July 2016 – March 2019: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-dismisses-41-kurdish-mayors-between-july-2016-march-2019-report/) - The Turkish Ministry of Interior has announced that a total of 41 former mayors have been removed from office and replaced by government-appointed trustees between July 2016 and March 2019, the Diken news website reported on Tuesday. According to the report, these dismissed mayors have thus far received some 260 years in prison on terrorism-related
- [4 previously missing purge-victims sent to prison after 12 days in police custody: report](https://turkeypurge.org/4-previously-missing-purge-victims-sent-to-prison-after-12-days-in-police-custody-report/) - Four purge-victims who turned up in police custody after being missing since February 2019 have been sent to prison on terror charges after spending twelve days in police custody, the DW Türkçe reported. Families of the arrestees told the news agency that the lawyers and family members were prevented by the police from seeing the
- [Turkey seeks 20 years prison time for mother, 90 years for brother of Turkish businessman Akın İpek](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-20-years-prison-time-for-mother-90-years-for-brother-of-turkish-businessman-akin-ipek/) - A Turkish prosecutor on Tuesday demanded lengthy prison sentences for Cafer Tekin İpek and Melek İpek, the brother and the mother of Turkish businessman Akın İpek, on charges of membership in Gülen movement and violating tax law, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The prosecutor demands 90 years for Tekin İpek and 20 years for
- [Video shows the moments history teacher Gokhan Acikkollu died of heart attack in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/video-shows-the-moments-history-teacher-gokhan-acikkollu-died-of-heart-attack-in-prison/) - Bold Medya has released a video showing the negligence of police officers in the death of Gökhan Açıkkollu, a purged history teacher who died of a heart attack while under detention in 2016. [VIDEO] shows the moments history teacher Gokhan Acikkollu died of heart attack in prison Earlier in 2017, Turkey's leading forensic medicine expert
- [A Call to the World Media](https://turkeypurge.org/a-call-to-the-world-media/) - Ever since the purge in Turkey started in July 2016, thousands of Turks have fled the country to different parts of the world. Among those are high-ranking Turkish diplomats, academics, police officers, teachers and many others from different walks of life. And many of them have either experienced ill-treatment in custody, or even worse; subjected
- [26-year-old epilepsy patient held in Konya prison for months on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/26-year-old-epilepsy-patient-held-in-konya-prison-for-months-on-coup-charges-report/) - Hatice Erol, a 26-year-old Turkish woman who suffers from epilepsy and requires daily medication, has been held in pre-trial detention in Konya prison for over 10 months over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen movement. The movement is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to a Twitter account,
- [OMCT ‏calls on Turkish gov’t to investigate ‘credible’ torture allegations ‘across the country’](https://turkeypurge.org/omct-urges-turkey-to-investigate-credible-torture-allegations/) - World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has called on Turkish government to investigate the allegations of torture and other ill-treatment happening across the country. The letter came days after the Şanlıurfa Bar Association claimed that 38 people who were detained on May 20 were subjected to ill treatment and torture. One police officer died in a
- [Iconic Turkish singer under investigation for dedicating song to 13-year-old Gezi Park victim](https://turkeypurge.org/iconic-turkish-singer-under-investigation-for-dedicating-song-to-13-year-old-gezi-park-victim/) - Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into Turkish singer Alpay after he at a concert commemorated a 13-year-old boy who was killed by the police during the Gezi Park protests of 2013, Gazete Duvar reported on Tuesday. The 84-year-old singer is now reportedly under investigation for “denigrating the state” and “praising members of terrorist groups.”
- [550 high-ranking Turkish diplomats including Harvard, Oxford, Columbia grads, purged since 2016 coup attempt](https://turkeypurge.org/550-high-ranking-turkish-diplomats-including-harvard-oxford-columbia-grads-purged-since-2016-coup-attempt/) - At least 550 high-ranking Turkish diplomats have been fired from their jobs by the Turkish government since a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to Bahadır Gülle, who claims to be one of the 550 purged-diplomats, among them are those with degrees from the world’s some of the best universities, such as Harvard, Oxford,
- [Ankara prosecutor launches investigation against German journalist for insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/investigation-launched-against-german-journalist-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Ankara prosecutors have opened an investigation into German journalist of Turkish descent Süheyla Kaplan, over posts on her social media accounts, Deutsche Welle Turkish service reported on Friday. Three posts she shared on Facebook and Twitter are now subject to investigation for allegedly “insulting the president” and “spreading terrorist propaganda.” She posted about the Turkish
- [Armenian weekly AGOS now among newspapers banned by Turkish airlines](https://turkeypurge.org/armenian-weekly-agos-now-among-newspapers-banned-by-turkish-airlines/) - Turkey’s national carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) will no longer offer Armenian weekly newspaper Agos to its customers at the international terminal in İstanbul, the Artı Gerçek news website reported on Friday. Agos has been among the print media available free of charge for THY customers since 2013. THY unilaterally repealed its contract with Agos last
- [Turkish woman returned to prison immediately after giving birth: HDP deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-woman-returned-to-prison-immediately-after-giving-birth-hdp-deputy/) - Beyza Demir, a Turkish woman who has been held in pre-trial detention over a year over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, was sent back to prison immediately after giving birth on March 28. Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a Turkish human rights activist, medical doctor and pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy, said during a press
- [Ankara prosecutor investigates opposition deputy for ‘insulting’ President Erdogan: report](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-prosecutor-investigates-opposition-deputy-for-insulting-president-erdogan-report/) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Engin Altay on accusations of insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in comments he made on a TV program, according to Turkish media reports on Wednesday. According to the prosecutor’s office Altay both insulted and threatened Erdoğan
- [Detention warrants issued for 18 engineers over post-coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-for-18-engineers-over-post-coup-charges/) - Detention warrants were issued for 18 engineers previously working at the government-owner defence company, HAVELSAN on Friday. Anadolu news agency reported that the engineers are accused of membership to the Gulen movement. Eight of them were caught at the time of writing while police were searching the remaining ten. Turkish government accuses Gulenists of masterminding
- [2 Tunceli men detained after refusing to shake hands with gov’t-appointed mayor](https://turkeypurge.org/2-tunceli-men-detained-after-refusing-to-shake-hands-with-govt-appointed-mayor/) - Two young men were taken into custody in the eastern province of Tunceli on Thursday for refusing to shake hands with the trustee who replaced a democratically elected mayor in the province, the Arti Gerçek news website reported. Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, who was also appointed as trustee, replacing the city’s mayor from the ranks
- [Eskişehir police detain veteran journalist Ayşenur Arslan: report](https://turkeypurge.org/eskisehir-police-detain-veteran-journalist-aysenur-arslan-report/) - Ayşenur Arslan, a prominent journalist affiliated with the leftist Halk TV, has been detained in Eskişehir province as part of an investigation carried out by the Ankara 40th penal court of first instance. According to the halktv news portal, Arslan was detained after she failed to attend a trial scheduled in an Ankara court last
- [Jailed lawyer Selcuk Kozaagacli sentenced to 11 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-lawyer-selcuk-kozaagacli-sentenced-to-11-years-in-prison/) - Turkish lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçlı, former president of the now-closed Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) who has been behind bars since November 2017 on terrorism charges, was handed down a sentence of 11 years, three months on Wednesday. The İstanbul 37th High Criminal Court rendered the sentence for conviction of membership in a terrorist organization. Six other
- [Turkish reporter among journalists facing ‘Most Urgent’ threats to press freedom in the world](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-reporter-among-journalists-facing-most-urgent-threats-to-press-freedom-in-the-world/) - Pelin Unker, a business reporter with the Istanbul-based Cumhuriyet newspaper, was included in the list of 10 journalists worldwide who face most urgent threats to the press freedom. The list prepared by One Free Press Coalition, a united front of prominent editors and publishers using the significant reach of their editorial and social platforms to
- [Warrants issued for 18 teachers in Ankara: 3 detained](https://turkeypurge.org/warrants-issued-for-18-teachers-in-ankara-3-detained/) - Detention warrants were issued for 18 teachers in Turkey’s Ankara as part of a post-coup investigation into the Gulen movement, on Tuesday. The suspects are accused of using Bylock, an encrypted mobile app that Turkish government sees as a communication tool among followers of the Gulen movement. Three out of 18 were detained at the
- [Police detain İstanbul man for protesting Turkish interior minister at Üsküdar rally](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-istanbul-man-for-protesting-turkish-interior-minister-at-uskudar-rally/) - An İstanbul man who publicly protested Turkish interior minister Süleyman Soylu during an election rally on Sunday was detained by police, several media outlets reported. The unidentified protestor protested Soylu’s criticism of the Felicity Party (SP) at a rally in the Üsküdar district. Soylu claimed the minor opposition SP “carried the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party
- [Adana man gets 18 years in prison for shooting at Ataturk statue: report](https://turkeypurge.org/adana-man-gets-18-years-in-prison-for-shooting-at-ataturk-statue-report/) - Ali Balduz, a Turkish man from the southern province of Adana, has been given a prison sentence of 18 years, 8 months for shooting at a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. According to the Cumhuriyet daily, Balduz attacked the statue located at the garden of a primary school in Adana’s
- [Denizli man arrested for insulting Erdogan on social media](https://turkeypurge.org/denizli-man-arrested-for-insulting-erdogan-on-social-media/) - Suleyman Uzel, a 59-year-old businessman from Turkey’s western province of Denizli was arrested for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Media reported Monday that Uzel was indicted with insulting Erdogan, a charge that carries a sentence of between one and four years. The number of investigations launched on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was
- [Turkish police raid pro-Kurdish HDP Diyarbakır office for 3rd time in a week](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-raid-pro-kurdish-hdp-diyarbakir-office-for-3rd-time-in-a-week/) - Turkish police on Thursday raided the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır office for the third time, detaining three party members on a hunger strike. Last week police detained seven party officials out of 10 on a hunger strike demanding an end to the “isolation” of imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
- [Turkish journalist Mehmet Gundem to remain in prison: court](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-journalist-mehmet-gundem-to-remain-in-prison-court/) - A Turkish court ruled on Thursday for a continuation of the pretrial detention of Mehmet Gündem, a veteran Turkish journalist who is accused of taking part in or supporting a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016. Gündem appeared before the İstanbul 35th High Criminal Court for his third hearing on Thursday. The court adjourned proceedings
- [Turkish police fire water cannon at pro-Kurdish election posters: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-fire-water-cannon-at-pro-kurdish-election-posters-report/) - Turkish police have fired water cannon at election banners that promote the candidates of the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in the upcoming municipal election in Turkey. A video footage posted by a twitter account, shows the moment police fire water cannon at posters The motives of the action is not clear at the moment.
- [[VIDEO] 42 detained over Gulen links in Turkey’s Izmir](https://turkeypurge.org/video-42-detained-over-gulen-links-in-turkeys-izmir/) - A total of 42 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement followers in Izmir, media reported Tuesday. The suspects are accused of attempting to form new gatherings among Gulenists after the government cracked down on the followers in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup. Turkish government accuses
- [US, Germany and UK slam Kosovo for last year’s deportation of Turkish citizens](https://turkeypurge.org/us-germany-and-uk-slam-kosovo-for-last-years-deportation-of-turkish-citizens/) - Extradition of six Turkish nationals by Kosovo authorities suspected of their alleged links to Fetullah Gulen’s movement, was in violation in violation with dozens of regulations and marked an “egregious breach of democratic values” that highlights the Kosovo’s intelligence Agency’s susceptibility to political manipulation, the US Embassy in Pristina said on Monday. British and German
- [Turkey’s Ege University discriminates against purge victims in graduate admissions](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-ege-university-discriminates-against-purge-victims-in-graduate-admissions/) - Izmir-based Ege University was revealed to be discriminating against those who were dismissed from their jobs as part of the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup. The university’s Graduate School of Social Sciences announced on its website that those removed from the job are not allowed to
- [Journalist Zafer Ozcan arrested in Turkey’s Manisa](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-zafer-ozcan-arrested-in-turkeys-manisa/) - Former Bugün columnist and Zaman daily reporter Zafer Özcan was arrested on Thursday in the western province of Manisa over links to the faith-based Gülen movement. Özcan, who has lived in his hometown of Akhisar since the closure by the government of Bugün in February 2016, was detained on a warrant and subsequently arrested by
- [President Erdoğan again sues opposition leader Aksener for alleged insult: report](https://turkeypurge.org/president-erdogan-again-sues-opposition-leader-aksener-for-alleged-insult-report/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday filed a legal complaint against Meral Akşener, chairman of the opposition İyi (Good) Party, for allegedly insulting him, Turkish news outlets reported. Erdoğan filed the complaint due to Akşener’s remarks at a rally in Denizli in the run-up to local elections on March 31. According to Erdoğan lawyer Hüseyin
- [Purge victim judge dies of cancer –claim](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-judge-dies-of-cancer-claim/) - Mehmet Tosun, a Turkish judge who was dismissed from his job after a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, died of cancer on Thursday, according to a twitter account believed to be managed by another purged judge claimed. The claim has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Turkish authorities. The twitter account claimed that
- [Man, 2 sons drown in the Aegean Sea off Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/man-2-sons-drown-in-the-aegean-sea-off-turkey-report/) - A man and his two children died on Thursday after attempting to reach Greece in a boat that probably sank off the Aegean island of Samos close to Turkey’s coast, Reuters reported, citing a Greek official. The Greek coast guard was alerted about a boat in distress in the early morning hours. They later found
- [Istanbul police fire tear gas, plastic bullets at thousands to disperse Women’s Day march](https://turkeypurge.org/police-block-entrance-to-istanbuls-istiklal-street-ahead-of-womens-march/) - Istanbul police fired tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse thousands of women who tried to march along the city’s main pedestrian avenue to mark International Women’s Day on Friday evening. Thousands of women gathered near İstiklal Street in İstanbul’s famed Taksim neighborhood for a march that police said was unauthorized. The march, named “March
- [Turkish police detain pro-Kurdish reporter in Tunceli: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-pro-kurdish-reporter-in-tunceli-report/) - Semra Turan, a reporter for the Mezopotamya news agency, was taken into custody in the eastern Turkish province of Tunceli on Wednesday, the agency reported. Turan was detained during a police raid on his house in the early hours of Wednesday. The reporter was taken to the Tunceli Police Department, although authorities did not issue
- [Hakan Sukur’s father-in-law detained over power of attorney](https://turkeypurge.org/hakan-sukurs-father-in-law-detained-over-power-of-attorney/) - Hakan Sukur’s father in law Mustafa Sertbas has been detained over a power of attorney the former football star issued for him, media said Monday. Sertbas was caught when a notary public in Istanbul’s Beyoglu where he had planned to get the power of attorney reported him to the police. The father-in-law faces 7.5 years
- [932 companies under Turkish gov’t control after post-coup seizures](https://turkeypurge.org/932-companies-under-turkish-govt-control-after-post-coup-seizures/) - Turkey’s state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) Chairman Muhiddin Gülal said Monday 932 companies that were earlier confiscated over Gulen links are now under TMSF’s control. Gulal said the companies are valued at TL 21.2 billion ($3.9 billion) and have TL 57.9 billion ($10.8 billion) in assets. The number of confiscated companies was 1,032, according
- [Report: Man reports daughter to police for insulting Erdogan, daughter does the same in response](https://turkeypurge.org/report-man-reports-daughter-to-police-for-insulting-erdogan-daughter-does-the-same-in-response/) - An Ankara man has reported his daughter to police for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan only to be informed on over the exact same accusation. “My daughter, A.T.C., sent the attached email to me on Oct 10, 2018, around 13.05 pm. My daughter A.T.C. insulted our President and myself. I was offended. I kindly request
- [Report: Turkish gov’t paid $3.5 million to informants who provided information that led to arrest or death of Gulenists, others](https://turkeypurge.org/report-turkish-govt-paid-3-5-million-to-informants-who-provided-information-that-led-to-arrest-or-death-of-gulenists-others/) - Turkey’s Interior Ministry has paid more than 19 million Turkish lira to 249 people who provided information leading to the arrest or were instrumental in the death of supporters of the faith-based Gülen movement, a pro-government newspaper reported on Tuesday. A report by Burak Doğan in Yeni Şafak stated that the program is titled “Homeland
- [Sanliurfa Chamber of Commerce’s former head sentenced to 12 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/sanliurfa-chamber-of-commerces-former-head-sentenced-to-12-years-in-prison/) - Eyüp Sabri Ertekin, former president of the Sanliurfa Chamber of Commerce was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 15 days in jail over ties to the Gulen movement. Appearing before the court for his final hearing, Ertekin was convicted of membership to the Gulen movement, a broadened terroism charge the Turkish government often uses
- [Turkey’s Flash TV stops broadcasting due to ‘unbearable’ government pressure](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-flash-tv-stops-broadcasting-due-to-unbearable-government-pressure/) - Turkey’s Flash TV, one of the leading entertainment-focused TV channels, has stopped broadcasting due to political pressure by the government and economic hardship. Established in 1992, the station is Turkey’s one of the first private television channels. Flash TV is known for its broadcasts of traditional halay dancing and match-making programs. In a written statement
- [17 detained during protests marking 15th anniversary of Önder Balat’s death](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-17-people-commemorating-death-of-istanbul-university-student-onder-balat/) - Turkish riot police used force to disperse a group of university students who held a commemoration ceremony for a slain leftist student at İstanbul University’s Beyazıt campus on Friday. According to the artıgercek news portal, riot police intervened with shields and detained seventeen of the attendees. Some students were injured in the fray. Önder Balat,
- [486 more soldiers fired from Turkish military since end of state of emergency: AA](https://turkeypurge.org/486-more-soldiers-fired-from-turkish-military-since-end-of-state-of-emergency-aa/) - A total of 486 military members have been fired due to alleged links to the Gülen group since the end of a state of emergency declared after a 2016 coup attempt, the state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. According to the report, 90 members of the land forces, 77 from the naval forces have been relieved
- [If elected, ‘PKK-linked mayors’ to be dismissed: President Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/if-elected-pkk-linked-mayors-to-be-dismissed-president-erdogan/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said during a public rally that if pro-Kurdish candidates “linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK),” are elected in the upcoming municipal elections, he will dismiss them and appoint civil servants to run the Kurdish towns in southern Turkey. At a public rally in the central Anatolian town of Yozgat,
- [Football field scheduling conflict in Turkey: prosecutors get teachers detained to take over the field](https://turkeypurge.org/football-field-scheduling-conflict-in-turkey-prosecutors-get-teachers-detained-to-take-over-the-field/) - A prosecutor in Turkey ordered the detention of 14 teachers after a scheduling conflict over a football field, the Diken news website reported on Thursday. The incident took place in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır where a group of teachers reserved the pitch for the 9 p.m.-10 p.m. time slot, while another group involving the
- [39 TRT journalists get 260 years in prison on terror, coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/39-trt-journalists-get-260-years-in-prison-on-terror-coup-charges-report/) - The Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court has handed down jail sentences of varying lengths to journalists from the state-run Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) on charges of “membership in a terrorist group.” According to the https://jailedjournos.com/2019/02/26/trt/, Ahmet Özdemir, Ali Hancı, Ahmet Çat, Beşir Elmas, Abdullah Yeldan, Enes Bora, Evren Kara, Koray Demirci, Selçuk Çelik, Şaban
- [Former Supreme Court judge gets 13.5 years in prison in post-coup trial](https://turkeypurge.org/former-supreme-court-judge-gets-13-5-years-in-prison-in-post-coup-trial/) - A former top judge who was jailed as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-coup crackdown has been sentenced to 13 years and 6 months in prison. Former Supreme Court of Appeals member Oktay Acu was convicted of membership to the Gulen movement, a broadened terror charge the Turkish government often uses to imprison its
- [Group of activists walking across Europe raises 40,000 euros for Turkish refugees in Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/group-of-activists-walking-across-europe-raises-40000-euros-for-turkish-refugees-in-greece/) - A group of activists from the UK raised 40,000 euros for needy Turkish nationals who have landed in Greece as refugees in the face of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-coup witch-hunt. Bold Medya online news outlet reported Tuesday that the group has collected 40,000 euros in online donations and handed over the sum to the
- [Amnesty volunteer Webb to jailed journalist Parıldak:  Please try to stay strong. You are not alone](https://turkeypurge.org/amnesty-volunteer-webb-writes-letter-of-solidarity-to-jailed-journalist-parildak/) - Felicity Webb, an Amnesty International activist from the UK, has written a letter of solidarity to journalist Ayşenur Parıldak, who is among the dozens of journalists arrested in Turkey in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in July 2016. In her letter Webb wrote Ayşenur she was dismayed and saddened to hear about her
- [Former Council of State judge sentenced to 9 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/former-council-of-state-judge-sentenced-to-9-years-in-prison/) - A former top judge who was jailed as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-coup crackdown has been sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison, on Tuesday. Former Council of State member Mithat Ozcan was convicted of membership to the Gulen movement, a broadened terror charge the Turkish government often uses to imprison
- [Jailed pro-Kurdish politician sentenced to another 1.5 years in prison for insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-pro-kurdish-politician-sentenced-to-another-1-5-years-in-prison-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Figen Yüksekdağ has been handed down a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A Diyarbakir court convicted Yüksekdağ for a statement she made while under custody for another, anti-terrorism investigation. When referring to Erdogan, Yuksekdag said: “…Erdogan whose
- [Pro-gov’t paper fires columnist due to tweet on low circulation figures](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-paper-fires-columnist-due-to-tweet-on-low-circulation-figures/) - Teoman Kadioglu, a columnist with the Posta newspaper for 15 years, has been fired over a tweet he posted about decreasing sales of a sister publication. “Hurriyet newspaper has a actual daily circulation of 28,000 in Istanbul. It is 60,000 in Turkey as a whole. Are social media and digital revolution the only reason for
- [Computer technician, died of cancer after dismissal, reinstated to job 3 months after his death](https://turkeypurge.org/computer-technician-died-of-cancer-after-dismissal-reinstated-to-job-3-months-after-his-death/) - Ömer Faruk Aksoy, a computer technician who died of skin cancer after he was dismissed from job, was found innocent 2.5 years later and “reinstated” to his job. Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a rights activist and a lawmaker from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) tweeted Tuesday Aksoy was given a right to get back to work
- [Dismissed supreme court member gets 10 years of jail sentence](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-supreme-court-member-gets-10-years-of-jail-sentence/) - A former top judge who was jailed as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s post-coup crackdown has been sentenced to 10 years, 3 months and 22 days in prison. Former Supreme Court of Appeals member Mustafa Akkus was convicted of membership to the Gulen movement, a broadened terror charge the Turkish government often uses to
- [Teacher gets 10.5 years in jail over attempt to escape to Greece as refugee](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-gets-10-5-years-in-jail-over-attempt-to-escape-to-greece-as-refugee/) - A former Turkish teacher who was dismissed from his job over links to the Gulen movement was sentenced to 10.5 years in jail. The Adana-based former teacher, identified with his initials Z.K., was intercepted while trying to escape to Greece where many other suspected Gulenists have claimed asylum over the recent years., some time ago.
- [Kurdish journalist Zehra Dogan released after spending nearly 3 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/kurdish-journalist-zehra-dogan-released-after-spending-nearly-3-years-in-prison/) - Zehra Doğan, an artist and journalist for the now-closed a Kurdish news agency (JİNHA), was released on Sunday after two years, nine months and 22 days in prison Doğan was convicted of disseminating “terrorist propaganda” in social media posts and news stories. Her reports covered curfews in Turkey’s Southeast imposed during a military offensive against
- [Over 100 Gulenists forcibly brought back to Turkey so far: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/over-100-gulenists-forcibly-brought-back-to-turkey-so-far-ministry/) - More than 100 people allegedly affiliated with Turkey’s Gülen group have been forcibly brought back from abroad so far, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kiran. “Over 20 FETO schools [abroad] were taken over . The latest of such incident was in Pakistan. We got some remarkable results in Afghanistan as well. So far,
- [Report reveals secret investigation against family members of 19 Turkish journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/report-reveals-secret-investigation-against-family-members-of-19-turkish-journalists/) - An Istanbul prosecutor ordered a “secret” investigation against family members of 19 journalists, accused of links to the Gulen movement, according to an internal correspondence within Turkish bureaucracy, revealed Monday by journalist Abdullah Bozkurt. Screenshots of the prosecutor’s order, dated Dec 19, 2016, and a subsequent response from Istanbul police on Jan 24, 2017 show
- [Owner of ‘İsmail’s place’ sent to prison on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/owner-of-ismails-place-sent-to-prison-on-terror-charges/) - İsmail Çolak, owner of the famous İsmail’in Yeri (İsmail’s Place) grill restaurant in the northwestern Turkish province of Bolu, was put in pre-trial detention by a Düzce court over his alleged links to the Gülen group. According to Turkish media, Çolak’s restaurant, located on Bolu Mountain and a popular spot with travelers, was closed down
- [Pro-gov’t anchor calls for beheading of Gezi protesters](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-anchor-calls-for-beheading-of-gezi-protesters/) - Turkish television anchor Erkan Tan, known for his staunch pro-government stance on A Haber TV, on Tuesday called for the beheading of protesters who were involved in the countrywide anti-government Gezi protests in the summer of 2013. While arguing in a column for the Takvim newspaper that there are some who would like to import
- [Former Bursa governor gets 6 years, 3 months on terror, coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/former-bursa-governor-gets-6-years-3-months-on-terror-coup-charges/) - Şahabettin Harput, a former Turkish governor of the western province of Bursa, was sentenced to six years, three months in prison over alleged links to the Gülen movement, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday. The Bursa 8th High Criminal court convicted the former mayor on charges of membership in a terrorist organization but acquitted
- [Pro-gov’t journalist says Gulen-linked ‘fugitives’ should be abducted or killed](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-journalist-says-gulen-linked-fugitives-should-be-abducted-or-killed/) - Pro-gov’t journalist calls for killing of Turkish businessman and individuals like him who he accused of being top Gulenists. Pro-government Turkish journalist Emre Erciş has called on Turkey’s intelligence agency to abduct or exterminate critical businessman Akın İpek and other top Gulenists following a court verdict in the UK that rejected Ankara’s request for his
- [Teacher goes missing in Ankara as abduction allegations mount](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-goes-missing-in-ankara-as-abduction-allegations-mount/) - A 28-year-old teacher who lost his job after the government closed down his private school as part of its post-coup purge, went missing in Turkey’s capital Ankara. A Twitter account, claimed to be used by Ahmet Erturk’s wife, said the other day that her husband left home promising to be back on Nov 15 but
- [Turkish man detained while escaping post-coup crackdown in cargo vessel](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-man-detained-while-escaping-post-coup-crackdown-in-cargo-vessel/) - A Turkish man with an outstanding arrest warrant over Gulen links, identified as H.K., was detained while he was allegedly on his way to escape Turkey to France. State-run Anadolu news agency said Nov 29 that coastal guard caught H.K. in a cargo vessel docked at a port in the western province of Mugla. H.K.
- [Turkish prosecutor seeks life in prison for police chiefs who led 2013 bribery probe against Erdogan’s son](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-prosecutor-seeks-life-in-prison-for-police-chiefs-who-led-2013-bribery-probe-against-erdogans-son/) - A Turkish prosecutor has announced that he seeks life sentences for 59 suspects, among them police chiefs who led Dec 25, 2013 corruption operation against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son Bilal Erdogan and some pro-government businessmen. Istanbul prosecutor Ramazan Gökce revealed the final version of the accusations during a court hearing on Nov 29. The
- [UK court rejects Turkey’s extradition request for businessman İpek](https://turkeypurge.org/uk-court-rejects-turkeys-extradition-request-for-businessman-ipek/) - Turkish government’s extradition request for businessman Akın ipek is “politically motivated,” according to a UK court. UK Judge John Zani ruled on Wednesday Turkish Businessman Hamdi Akın İpek and two other Turkish nationals will not be extradited to Turkey as the Turkish government’s accusiations are “politically motivated,” and thus the men were at risk of a breach of their
- [585 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/585-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 585 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 585 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Nov 19-26. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Turkey detains 20 pro-Kurdish party members](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-20-pro-kurdish-party-members/) - At least 20 people were detained as part of an investigation into the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Monday. Police carried out operations at several locations in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Diyarbakır and Bursa provinces as part of an investigation ordered detention of 28 people on charges of terrorist propaganda. At least 20 people were detained,
- [Soros-backed foundation ceases Turkey operations after being targeted by President Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/soros-backed-foundation-ceases-turkey-operations-after-being-targeted-by-president-erdogan/) - Billionaire philanthropist George Soros’s Open Society Foundation on Monday announced that it would end its operation in Turkey following accusations made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against Soros and his activities. In a speech last week Erdoğan accused Soros of assigning people to divide nations. The foundation said on Monday that it had been the
- [Karabük deputy governor sent to prison over Gulen links: report](https://turkeypurge.org/karabuk-deputy-governor-sent-to-prison-over-gulen-links-report/) - Abdulhalim C., the deputy governor of the northwestern province of Karabük, has been put in pre trial detention over his alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Sunday. Turkey experienced a military coup attempt on July 15 that killed over 240 people and wounded more than a thousand others. Immediately after the
- [Turkey seeks aggravated life sentence for purge-victim Kurdish mayor](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-aggravated-life-sentence-for-purge-victim-kurdish-mayor/) - Turkish prosecutors has demanded an aggravated life sentence for the former co-mayor of Nusaybin in southeastern Turkey on charges of terrorism. Sara Kaya, a Kurdish mayor who was detained in a house raid on Jan. 13, 2017 and subsequently arrested, testified at a hearing on Friday in Mardin via teleconference, the Mezopotamya news agency reported.
- [[VIDEO] Riot police detain 8 people over Gulen links in Turkey’s Erzurum](https://turkeypurge.org/riot-police-detain-8-people-over-gulen-links-in-turkeys-erzurum/) - At least 8 people were detained in an Erzurum-based operation carried out by riot police, state-run Anadolu news agency said Nov 21. Detention warrants were issued for 11 people who are accused of being “residents of the apartments, allegedly formed to resume coordination among Gulen movement followers and recruit new members after the failed coup
- [Journalist Murat Aksoy sent back to prison after court upholds sentence on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-murat-aksoy-sent-back-to-prison-after-court-upholds-sentence-on-terror-charges/) - Turkish journalist Murat Aksoy was sent back to prison on Thursday after a regional appeals court upheld a local court’s ruling to imprison him for 2 years and 1 month. A former columnist for the now now-closed Bugun daily newspaper, Aksoy spent 421 days in pretrial detention over his alleged links to the Gülen movement,
- [260,000 people currently behind bars in Turkey: minister](https://turkeypurge.org/260000-people-currently-behind-bars-in-turkey-minister/) - A total of 260,144 people are currently being held in prisons across Turkey, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül told during budgetary presentation on Nov 20. As of Nov 16, 2016, a total of 260,144 people are being held in 385 prisons in Turkey, of which 202,434 were convicted and the remaining 57,710 are kept pending trial,
- [Detention warrants issued for 48 in Turkey’s Bursa](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-for-48-in-turkeys-bursa/) - Turkish prosecutors have issued detention warrants for a total of 48 people in Bursa province as part of an investigation into the Gülen group on Nov 21. 20 of the suspects are accused of having used ByLock mobile app while the remaining are being sought over similar charges. Turkish authorities believe that ByLock is a
- [486 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/486-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 486 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 486 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Nov 12-19. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [[VIDEO] Erdogan says ECHR decision not binding for Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-says-echr-decision-not-binding-for-turkey/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday said that Turkey is not bound by verdicts of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) following the court’s decision calling for the release of Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtaş from a lengthy pre-trial detention. “ECtHR decisions do not bind us. Up until now, most of the decisions about the
- [Dismissed nurse dies of cancer as husband still behind bars](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-nurse-dies-of-cancer-as-husband-still-behind-bars/) - An Ankara-based nurse who was removed from her job as part of the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown, has died of cancer, leaving her three children behind, opposition deputy Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu tweeted on Nov 19. Gülhan Köseler, a 33-year-old nurse in Ankara’s Mamak was diagnosed with cancer after she was dismissed from the post with
- [Minister: Turkey formally asked US to return 84 people over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/minister-turkey-formally-asked-us-to-return-84-people-over-gulen-links/) - Turkey has demanded the extradition of a total of 84 people from the US over their alleged links to the Gülen group, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Nov 20. Speaking to press following a meeting with his counterpart Mike Pompeo, Çavuşoğlu said he handed over a list of 84 Gulenists to Pompeo and the National Security Adviser John Bolton.
- [İzmir woman gets husband arrested over Gülen links after he asks for divorce: report](https://turkeypurge.org/izmir-woman-gets-husband-arrested-over-gulen-links-after-he-asks-for-divorce-report/) - A woman in İzmir reported her husband to Turkish authorites six months ago, accusing him of being a Gülenist after he asked her for a divorce, resulting in his arrest and pretrial detention, Sputnik Türkiye reported. Gülcan A. planted books by Fethullah Gülen, magazines linked to the Gülen movement and a one dollar bill in
- [3 SGDF members put in pre-trial detention on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/3-sgdf-members-put-in-pre-trail-detention-on-terror-charges/) - The people affiliated with the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) has been put in pre-trial detention on terror charges, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. SGDF is known to be a youth branch of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), which is a Marxist-Leninist political party that defines itself as “a revolutionary socialist party fighting for
- [NBC News: To ease Turkish pressure on Saudis over killing, Trump weighs expelling Erdogan foe](https://turkeypurge.org/nbc-news-to-ease-turkish-pressure-on-saudis-over-killing-trump-weighs-expelling-erdogan-foe/) - The White House is looking for ways to remove an enemy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from the US in order to placate Turkey over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing two senior US officials and two other people briefed on the requests. Trump administration officials last month
- [218,000 people detained over Gulen links in Turkey so far: minister](https://turkeypurge.org/218000-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-turkey-so-far-minister/) - At total of 217,971 people in Turkey have been detained over their links to the Gulen movement so far, Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Thursday. “62,730 (police) operations have been made against Gulenists as of today. …As a result of these operations, 217,971 people were detained,” Soylu told Parliament. He also added 16,684 people
- [Another woman put in pre-trial detention 25 days after giving birth: opposition deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/another-woman-put-in-pre-trial-detention-25-days-after-giving-birth-opposition-deputy/) - Ayşe Şeyma Taş, a Turkish woman who gave birth 25 days ago at a Sakarya hospital, was put in pre-trail detention with her new-born baby on Sunday over her alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. The movement denies any involvement. According to a tweet by Ömer Faruk
- [Purge-victim Turkish prosecutor put in pre-trial detention on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-turkish-prosecutor-put-in-pre-trial-detention-on-terror-charges-report/) - Ferhat Sarıkaya, a public prosecutor who was recently fired from his job by a decree by the Turkish government, was put in pre trial detention on Thursday on charges of membership in the Gülen group. Mr. Sarıkaya was disbarred by Turkey’s Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) last Thursday and was detained the following day
- [Turkish gov’t seizes 1,022 companies over coup charges since July 2016: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-seizes-1022-companies-over-coup-charges-since-july-2016/) - Turkey’s state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) Chairman Muhiddin Gülal has announced that a total of 1,022 companies have been taken over the by the TMSF due to their links to the Gülen movement since a failed coup on July 15, 2016, the Sputnik Türkiye reported on Tuesday. The Turkish government accuses the Gülen movement
- [Turkey jails 24 İstanbul airport workers for protesting unsafe labor conditions](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-jails-24-istanbul-airport-workers-for-protesting-unsafe-labor-conditions/) - Twenty-four workers who were detained along with hundreds of others on Saturday for protesting labor conditions at İstanbul’s new airport were put in pre-trial detention by a court on Wednesday, Reuters reported. According to the report, 19 other workers were released on judicial probation by the Istanbul court. Workers were accused by the prosecutor of
- [[VIDEO] Teacher, 5 others detained during police raid in Istanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/video-teacher-5-others-detained-during-police-raid-in-istanbul/) - At least six people were put in pre-trial detention after being detained during police raids in Istanbul last week. Police raided several locations in Istanbul between Sept 6-7 to round up the suspects. Accused of having ties to the Gulen movement, the arrestees include one teacher as well as the General Secretary of the now-closed
- [Hürriyet parts ways with veteran journalist Taha Akyol and “everyone knows why”](https://turkeypurge.org/hurriyet-parts-ways-with-veteran-journalist-taha-akyol-and-everyone-knows-why/) - The Hürriyet daily, one of the leading newspapers in Turkey, has parted ways with renowned columnist Taha Akyol. According to a recent tweet posted by Mr. Akyol’s son, Mustafa Akyol, everyone knows why his father was laid off. “Today, Turkey’s largest newspaper Hürriyet ended the decades-old column of my father Taha Akyol. Everyone knows why.
- [Turkish pop singer Mabel Matiz faces post-coup investigation for showing $1 bills in video clip](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-pop-singer-mabel-matiz-faces-post-coup-investigation-for-showing-1-bills-in-video-clip/) - Turkish pop singer Mabel Matiz has been subjec to a post-coup investigation for using 1-dollar bills in a 2017 video clip, pro-government Sabah newspaper reported Tuesday. Having danced with 1-dollar bills in his jacket’s pockets in the video, shot for his track “Ya Bu Isler Ne,” Matiz is accused of aiding the Gulen movement. The
- [[VIDEO] 5 teachers, 7 others detained over Gulen links in Turkey’s Kayseri](https://turkeypurge.org/video-5-teachers-7-others-detained-over-gulen-links-in-turkeys-kayseri/) - Ten people were detained during a police raid on an apartment in Kayseri’s central district of Melikgazi. Media reported that police raided the apartment upon the information that followers of the Gulen movement were having weekly meetings over there. During the raid, 10 people were rounded up and an ensuing ID check revealed that the
- [239 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/239-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 239 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 239 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Sept 3-10. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Former military officer, children detained while escaping from Turkey to Iraq](https://turkeypurge.org/former-military-officer-children-detained-while-escaping-from-turkey-to-iraq/) - A non-commissioned police officer until he was dismissed in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup, identified as C.B.A., has been detained while he was reportedly on his way to illegally sneak into Iraq along with his children. State-run Anadolu news agency said Monday that gendarmerie rounded up C.B.A. as well as his
- [Report: Turkey sees 61 suspicious deaths in prison in past 2 years](https://turkeypurge.org/report-turkey-sees-61-suspicious-deaths-in-prison-in-past-2-years/) - The New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) released a new report titled “Death in Custody: Right to Life in Turkish Prisons” expressing concerns over the increasing number of suspicious deaths in custody since an attempted coup on July 15, 2016 in Turkey, taking place in suspicious circumstances and in a pattern of systematic recurrence. Over the
- [Video shows Cyprus man hurling insults, threats at fashion designer Barbaros Şansal](https://turkeypurge.org/video-shows-cyprus-man-hurling-insults-threats-at-fashion-designer-barbaros-sansal/) - A man was caught on camera hurling racist insults and threatening Turkish human rights activist, Barbaros Şansal, at a restaurant in Northern Cyprus. In the video, a man wearing a white t-shirt, is heard accusing Şansal of betraying Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. “You b*stard! You will apologize to the people of the Turkish Republic
- [Mongolia-based Gulenist educator once again in danger of abduction by Turkey — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/mongolia-based-gulenist-educator-once-again-in-danger-of-abduction-by-turkey-claim/) - Veysel Akçay, a Mongolia-based Turkish educator who has links to Turkey’s Gülen group, has allegedly called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) for urgent action against an imminent risk of abduction by the Turkish government. Mr. Akçay, the general director of Turkish schools in Mongolia, was once abducted by the agents of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation
- [102 military academy officers, students sentenced to life in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/102-military-academy-officers-students-sentenced-to-life-in-jail/) - A total of 102 people were sentenced to life in prison as part of a post-coup investigation into Turkey’s War Colleges Command, on Friday. An Istanbul court sentenced 67 of the defendants to life in jail the remaining 35 received aggravated life sentences, meaning the convicts “have to spend the rest of their lives in
- [Journalist tells story of Turkey’s post-coup detainees tortured in Ankara building](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-tells-story-of-turkeys-post-coup-detainees-tortured-in-ankara-building/) - Turkish journalist Cevheri Guven has claimed in a video footage that post-coup detainees are being taken to a specially-equipped building in Ankara where they are subject to torture . In a recent video recording published by the online news portal Bold Medya, Guven tells the story of Turkey’s post-coup torture victims who claimed to be
- [Edirne parent arrested on coup charges, three kids left in care of relatives: HDP deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/edirne-parent-arrested-on-coup-charges-three-kids-left-in-care-of-relatives-hdp-deputy/) - An Edirne parent has been put in pre-trial detention by a Turkish court over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, one of Turkey’s most renowned human rights activists and pro Kurdish HDP deputy, as mother Hatice Saylak
- [NBC news: Wife of NASA scientist jailed in Turkey frustrated by Trump’s focus on pastor’s case](https://turkeypurge.org/nbc-news-wife-of-nasa-scientist-jailed-in-turkey-frustrated-by-trumps-focus-on-pastors-case/) - “When I read the newspapers, I sometimes feel frustrated like they’re only trying to save Pastor Andrew Brunson, but not us.” These words reportedly uttered by Kubra Gölge, the wife of Serkan Gölge, a 37-year-old physicist and research scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Mr Gölge who holds American citizenship, was jailed in February to
- [4.5-month pregnant woman hospitalized weeks after she was jailed](https://turkeypurge.org/4-5-month-pregnant-woman-hospitalized-a-month-after-she-was-jailed/) - Emine Ay, a 4.5-months pregnant woman who was jailed last month, has been hospitalized due to risk of a potential miscarriage. “I have just talked with the chief physician at the Bitlis State Hospital. She was hospitalized because she had a risk of miscarriage. She is going to be transferred to a hospital in Van.
- [On way to escape to Greece and Bulgaria, 154 people detained in Edirne so far: report](https://turkeypurge.org/on-way-to-escape-to-greece-and-bulgaria-154-people-detained-in-edirne-so-far-report/) - At least 154 people, who attempted to escape to Greece and Bulgaria, have been intercepted in Turkey’s border province of Edirne over the past two years, media said. Hurriyet said Aug 14 that Turkish military have, so far, rounded up 154 people for trying to flee Turkey to neighboring two countries through Edirne province. The
- [English-language teacher intercepted while escaping from Turkey to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/english-language-teacher-intercepted-while-escaping-from-turkey-to-greece/) - English-language teacher, identified by his initials S.B., was intercepted in a restricted military area near Turkey’s Greek border in Edirne province, media reported Monday. S.B. used to work at a private school that was closed down over its ties to the Gulen movement in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup. The teacher
- [Video shows İstanbul police beating an unarmed man at Şükrü Saraçoğlu stadium](https://turkeypurge.org/video-shows-istanbul-police-beating-an-unarmed-man-at-sukru-saracoglu-stadium/) - A Turkish football fan was brutally beaten by police officers in a shocking moment caught on video. The incident reportedly happened right after a game between Turkey’s Fenerbahçe and Bursaspor on Saturday night. The video, which was received from a fan who was at Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saraçoğlu stadium at the time of the incident, has
- [Former Turkish NATO officer reflects on his days in Ankara prison: Inmates given electric shocks to sign forced confessions](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-nato-officer-reflects-on-his-days-in-ankara-prison-inmates-given-electric-shocks-to-sign-forced-confessions/) - Former Lt. Cdr. Cafer Topkaya, a purged and jailed Turkish naval officer who was assigned to NATO prior to a failed coup in Turkey, has told Deutsche Welle that he is coming out of the shadows to relate what he experienced “for those who can’t meet the press, who can’t meet with journalists, who can’t
- [Jailed political scientist Türköne seen with daughter in first photo from Turkish prison](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-political-scientist-turkone-seen-with-wife-in-first-photo-from-turkish-prison/) - Sıla Türköne, the daughter of jailed Turkish journalist Mümtazer Türköne, has said her father will celebrate yet a third birthday in Silivri Prison, sharing a photo with her father taken during a prison visit. The İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court on July 6 sentenced Zaman journalists Türköne and Mustafa Ünal 10 years, six months in
- [Number of Turkish asylum seekers in EU rises by 39 pct in first half of 2018](https://turkeypurge.org/number-of-turkish-asylum-seekers-in-eu-rises-by-39-pct-in-first-half-of-2018/) - The number of Turkish nationals claiming asylum in 28 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland has increased by 2,590 or 39 percent in the first half of 2018, a recent report noted. Malta-based the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) released asylum statistics compiled from EU+ countries, which groups 28 EU members together with Norway and Switzerland. At
- [1,172 Turks claimed asylum in Germany in July: report](https://turkeypurge.org/1172-turks-claimed-asylum-in-germany-in-july-report/) - A total of 884 Turkish citizens applied for asylum in Germany throughout June while this number rose to 1,172, according to the country’s Interior Ministry, Deutsche Welle reported. In the first six months of 2018, a total of 4,329 Turkish citizens applied for asylum in Germany. The number of applicants was 3,206 in the same
- [334 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/334-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt-2/) - At least 334 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 334 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between July 30-Aug 6. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15,
- [Turkey denies entry to 54 German citizens since January: German FM](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-denies-entry-to-54-german-citizens-since-january-german-fm/) - The German Foreign Ministry has announced that 54 German citizen were denied entry to Turkish territory in the first seven months of the year, Deutsche Welle Turkish service reported on Monday. The figure was 95 for all of last year, according to the ministry’s answer to a Left Party parliamentary question. After a failed coup
- [Exiled novelist Aslı Erdoğan: Turkey has a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s](https://turkeypurge.org/exiled-novelist-asli-erdogan-turkey-has-a-fascist-regime-it-is-not-yet-1940s-germany-but-1930s/) - Turkish novelist Aslı Erdoğan, living in exile in Germany as she risks a life sentence on terror charges at home, thinks the writing is on the wall: Her country is sliding into fascism. Speaking to AFP, the award-winning author, still traumatized by the four months she spent in an İstanbul prison, warns that Turkey’s institutions
- [11 journalists from gov’t-closed Karşı daily indicted over Gülen links: report](https://turkeypurge.org/11-journalists-from-govt-closed-karsi-daily-indicted-over-gulen-links-report/) - An indictment charging 11 journalists from the now-closed Karşı daily with membership in a terrorist organization, aiding a terrorist organization without membership in it and revealing the identities of public servants engaged in counterterrorism operations was approved by an İstanbul court on Thursday, the Diken news website reported. The İstanbul 23rd High Criminal Court also issued
- [Denmark rejects extradition of Turkish national due to concerns over torture](https://turkeypurge.org/denmark-rejects-extradition-of-turkish-national-due-to-concerns-over-torture/) - A Danish court has turned down Turkish government’s request to extradite Cemal Deniz, a 58-year-old man Turkish national of Kurdish origin who is accused of membership to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), back to Turkey. Under custody since July 14, the man was released after Danish officials concluded that he cannot be extradited since
- [[VIDEO] Medical professor, lawyer detained while fleeing Turkey to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-medical-professor-lawyer-detained-while-fleeing-turkey-to-greece/) - At least three people were intercepted in Edirne while they were reportedly on their way to escape to Greece with illegal means, in the latest of such attempts aimed at avoiding Turkey’s post-coup crackdown. A lawyer; a medical professor who was earlier removed from his post at the Inonu University over ties to the Gulen
- [Report: 1,655 people get life sentences in Turkey’s coup trials over past 2 years](https://turkeypurge.org/report-1655-people-get-life-sentences-in-turkeys-coup-trials-over-past-2-years/) - Turkish courts have handed down 1,655 life sentences so far in 200 investigations following the 2016 failed coup, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. A total of 289 cases were opened against coup suspects, media said, adding that 1,655 life sentences were given in 200 of those cases. Of 1,655, 765 were aggravate life sentences, meaning the
- [Turkish man, wanted over Gulen links, jumps into Evros river to avoid arrest: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-man-wanted-over-gulen-links-jumps-into-evros-river-to-avoid-arrest-report/) - A Turkish man, identified only by his initials S.D., has reportedly jumped into Evros in a bid to avoid imprisonment, state-run Anadolu news agency said July 31. Gendarmerie detained 3 out of 4 suspected followers of the Gulen movement, located in Saçlımüsellim village in Edirne, Turkey’s border province with Greece. The third suspect, wanted over
- [Mongolian FM: Any attempt to abduct Turkish nationals is violation of sovereignty](https://turkeypurge.org/mongolian-fm-any-attempt-to-abduct-turkish-nationals-is-violation-of-sovereignty/) - The Mongolian Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a statement on the abduction of a Turkish national in the country earlier the same day, underlining such an unacceptable act would be “a violation of Mongolia’s sovereignty and independence” and that Mongolia would strongly object to it. Early on Friday morning Veysel Akçay, the general director of
- [German citizen arrested in Turkey for spreading ‘terror propaganda’ on social media](https://turkeypurge.org/german-citizen-arrested-in-turkey-for-spreading-terrorist-propaganda-on-social-media/) - A German citizen identified as Dennis E. has been arrested in Turkey on charges of “disseminating terrorist propaganda” on social media, the Demirören news agency reported on Wednesday. Dennis E. was detained at his home in Hatay’s Arsuz district by the İskenderun counterterrorism team on Wednesday. He later appeared before a court, which ruled for
- [US to impose ‘large’ sanctions on Turkey over ‘long time detainment’ of American pastor Brunson](https://turkeypurge.org/us-to-impose-large-sanctions-on-turkey-over/) - President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose sanctions on Turkey if American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was put under house arrest after two years in pre-trial detention on Wednesday, is not fully released “immediately.” “The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a
- [[VIDEO] 5 detained for attending protests against gov’t media crackdown in 2014](https://turkeypurge.org/video-5-detained-for-attending-protests-against-govt-media-crackdown-in-2014/) - At least 5 people were detained for attending local protests in Sakarya against detainment of journalists Ekrem Dumanlı and Hidayet Karaca in 2014, as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement on Tuesday. The detainees are reported to be former employees of Feza College and a prep school, both of which were earlier closed
- [Report: Number of purged people totals 42K in education sector, 16K in military](https://turkeypurge.org/report-number-of-purged-people-totals-42k-in-education-sector-16k-in-military/) - The number of people who were removed from their jobs in the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey totals 41,705 in the education sector and 15,584 in the military, according to a recent report. Egitim-Sen educators’ union said in a report, published on July 19, 2018, the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown has targeted educators
- [20-year-old university student in pre-trial detention for 14 months in Manisa — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/20-year-old-university-student-in-pre-trial-detention-for-14-months-in-manisa-claim/) - Nuran Gelen, a 20-year-old Celal Bayar University student has been held in a prison in Manisa province for almost fourteen months over his alleged links to the Gülen group, which accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to a social media user named Fatih Yaman, Gelen was detained by
- [IFJ calls on Ukraine to protect journalist from deportation to Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/ifj-calls-on-ukraine-to-protect-journalist-from-deportation-to-turkey/) - The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) has called on the Ukrainian government to take urgent action to protect Ukraine-based Turkish journalist Yunus Erdoğdu, who reportedly fears for his safety after the abduction of other Turkish nationals and the publication in the local media of a list bearing the names of Turks to be
- [Turkish-Canadian man sentenced to 15 years in jail in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-canadian-man-sentenced-to-15-years-in-jail-in-turkey/) - Calgary-based Turkish-Canadian Davut Hanci was sentenced to 15 years in prison over his links to the Gulen movement, media said Friday. A court in Turkey’s Northwestern province of Trabzon gave Hancı, already under pre-trial detention for nearly 2 years, 15 years of jail sentence on charges of leading and managing a terror group. Turkish government
- [Purge-victim woman dies of brain tumor](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-woman-dies-of-brain-tumor/) - Rukiye Öztürk, a Turkish woman who was removed from her job as a Quran teacher, has died of brain tumor, media reported Wednesday. Öztürk was on public payroll with her job as a Quran teacher registered with Turkey’s Religious Directorate until she was dismissed over her links to the Gulen movement a year after the
- [4 Turkish asylum seekers missing after boat capsizes in Evros river: sources](https://turkeypurge.org/4-turkish-asylum-seekers-missing-as-boat-capsizes-in-evros-river-sources/) - A woman and three children were reportedly missing after a boat carrying several Turkish asylum seekers capsized in Evros river along Turkey-Greece border. “A boat carrying Turkish purge victims was capsized on Evros River, Greece, a mom and 3 kids lost in flood, a kid was wearing life west, they all may be alive, rescue
- [OSCE: Deportation of journalist from Ukraine to Turkey reason for concern](https://turkeypurge.org/osce-deportation-of-journalist-from-ukraine-to-turkey-reason-for-concern/) - The recent deportation of Turkish journalist Yusuf Inan from Ukraine has raised concern over freedom of expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement Thursday. “Journalists should not be prosecuted for expressing their opinions and it is of concern that a critical journalist was extradited to Turkey. I ask
- [Turkish businessman Kavala shares first photo from prison, debuts major weight loss](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-businessman-kavala-shares-first-photo-from-prison-debuts-major-weight-loss/) - Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and activist who has been held in pre-trial detention in İstanbul’s Silivri prison, has shared the first photo since the beginning of his prison sentence in November 2017. Mr Kavala was reportedly pictured with his wife, Ayşe Buğra, a history professor at Turkey’s Boğaziçi University, during a visit at the holy month of Ramadan
- [Former HDP co-chair Demirtaş remains in prison: Ankara court](https://turkeypurge.org/former-hdp-co-chair-demirtas-remains-in-prison-ankara-court/) - A Turkish high criminal court has decided to keep former pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairperson Selahattin Demirtaş in prison during a trial in which he faces terror charges. The last hearing of Demirtaş’s trial in which he is charged with leading a terrorist organization was held at the Ankara 19th High Criminal Court on
- [[Full Report] Faces of Turkey’s Purge:](https://turkeypurge.org/full-report-faces-of-turkeys-purge/) - Two years since the failed coup attempt! Mass jailings, sackings and the suspension of the rule of law by the Turkish gov’t have produced thousands of victims. Here are some of the most unique faces of Turkey’s Purge: son yeni son
- [Owner of printing house detained over Erdogan placard](https://turkeypurge.org/owner-of-printing-house-detained-over-erdogan-placard/) - The owner of an Ankara-based printing house that had printed the placard with cartoons targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been briefly detained. An Ankara court on Wednesday sent four students from Middle East Technical University (METU) to prison for “insulting” Erdoğan with a placard they carried during the university’s graduation ceremony, the state-run Anadolu
- [Yet another 8 detained while fleeing Turkey to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-8-detained-while-fleeing-turkey-to-greece/) - At least 8 people were detained in two cities while they were reportedly on their way to escape Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece. State-run Anadolu news agency said Wednesday that two military officers who were earlier dismissed from their jobs over ties to the Gulen movement were detained along with their wives following a police
- [İstanbul police detain Turkish televangelist Adnan Oktar, 234 followers](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-police-detain-turkish-televangelist-adnan-oktar-234-followers/) - Turkish police teams on Wednesday morning detained Turkish televangelist Adnan Oktar, and at least 234 of his followers on various accusations ranging from child abuse to forming a criminal organization. Mr. Oktar blamed the “British deep state” over his detention. Police teams raided Oktar’s house in İstanbul’s Çengelköy neighborhood and detained him and his guards in
- [booking.com remains banned in Turkey: İstanbul court](https://turkeypurge.org/booking-com-remains-banned-in-turkey-istanbul-court/) - The İstanbul 5th Commercial Court of First Instance has ruled for the continuation of a ban imposed on online hotel booking platform booking.com, the Birgün daily reported. Access to the platform was initially blocked by the same court in March 2017. The court ruled for the “preventive ban” on the activities of the Dutch-based platform in Turkey due to “unfair
- [Turkish stage actor detained over social media posts: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-stage-actor-detained-over-social-media-posts-report/) - Orhan Aydın, a Turkish stage actor, was briefly detained in İstanbul on Tuesday over his social media posts critical of the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “I was taken to the Beyoğlu police station due to my social media messages. Presidency and democracy!” Aydın tweeted on Tuesday morning. Last year, Aydın was given
- [New decree orders: Presidential office to provide press cards to Turkey’s journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/new-decree-orders-presidential-office-to-provide-press-cards-to-turkeys-journalists/) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will provide press cards to Turkey’s journalists, according to a new presidential decree published in the Official Gazette early Tuesday, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The authority to issue press cards was previously belonged to the Prime Ministry’s Directorate General of Press and Information. With the decree No. 703 which
- [Tweet by Reporters Without Borders blocked following complaint by Erdogan’s son-in-law](https://turkeypurge.org/tweet-by-reporters-without-borders-blocked-following-complaint-by-erdogans-son-in-law/) - A judge for the İstanbul 3rd Penal Court of Peace on Tuesday ruled to block Internet access to the tweets of Turkey’s Journalists Union (TGS) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that expressed solidarity with a journalist standing trial for reporting on the tax haven businesses of a Turkish minister. Newly named Treasury and Finance Minister Berat
- [Turkish theologian under investigation over book ‘distorting Islam’](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-theologian-under-investigation-over-book-distorting-islam/) - Turkish authorities are investigating a theologian for publishing a book that prosecutors said distorted Islam. “Upon a complaint filed by an ignorant who claims to be a Muslim, an investigation has been launched by the Anadolu public prosecutor over writings in my book This is Islam,” Cemil Kılıç tweeted on Thursday. In a following tweet, Mr
- [2 British citizens put in pre-trial detention in Muğla on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/2-british-citizens-put-in-pre-trial-detention-in-mugla-on-terror-charges-report/) - Two British citizens who were detained by Turkish police at Dalaman Airport in the tourist resort of Muğla on Thursday due to their social media posts were subsequently arrested on terror charges, the T24 news website reported. The two brothers of Iraqi origin, identified as Ayman Barzan and Hariam Barzan, were stopped by the police
- [7 including helicopter pilots, academic detained over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/7-including-helicopter-pilots-academic-detained-over-gulen-links/) - A total of seven people were detained as part of an Usak-based investigation into the suspected followers of the Gulen movement on Wednesday. The public prosecutor’s office in Turkey’s western province of Usak issued detention warrants for 5 military officers, 1 academic from Usak University and 1 businessman who owns a local newspaper in the
- [Owner of now-defunct Izmir University jailed pending trial](https://turkeypurge.org/owner-of-now-defunct-izmir-university-jailed-pending-trial/) - At least six people were put in pre-trial detention as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement in Izmir, according to media. State-run Anadolu news agency said Thursday that six people are accused of membership to the movement. Arrestees include Ali Rıza Doğanata, one of the owners of the Izmir University and Fatih College. Both of the
- [Report: Suspended police officer commits suicide in Turkey’s Maras](https://turkeypurge.org/suspended-police-officer-commits-suicide-in-turkeys-maras/) - A former police officer who was suspended from the office over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement has killed himself in Kahramanmaras’s Turkoglu district. Local media reported Sunday that 31-year-old former police officer, identified by his initials F.Ç., shot himself in the head with a rifle registered under his grandfather’s name on Saturday. His
- [İstanbul Pride: At least 25 LGBT activists detained throughout Sunday’s parade](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-pride-at-least-25-lgbt-activists-detained-throughout-sunday/) - At least 35 LGBT activists were detained on Sunday for attempting to hold a pride march in İstanbul’s famed Taksim square to mark one of the largest organized gay festivals in Turkey. Turkish media outlets and several pro-LGBT twitter accounts reported that police fired plastic bullets at a group of around 40 activists and heavy
- [Advertiser put in pre-trial detention over Tweets criticizing June 24 election: report](https://turkeypurge.org/advertiser-put-in-pre-trial-detention-over-tweets-criticizing-june-24-election-report/) - Turkish adversiter Hakan Aykut Nili has been put in pre-trial detention over a comment he made on social media criticizing the results of the June 24 elections in Turkey, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Monday. “This must be the biggest fraud in political history. We see that the sole solution is to take to the
- [Turkey detains 15,190 ‘Gülenists’ in first half of 2018: interior ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-15190-gulenists-in-first-half-of-2018-interior-ministry/) - The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that 777 people have been detained in the past week due to alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, bringing the total number of people detained in first half of the year to 15,190. The Gülen group is accused of masterminding a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July
- [İstanbul governor bans LGBTI pride march for 4th year in row](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-governor-bans-lgbti-pride-march-for-4th-year-in-row/) - The İstanbul Governor’s Office has banned an LGBTI pride parade scheduled to take place in İstanbul’s famed Taksim street on July 1, citing security and public order concerns, the Turkish media reported. The 2014 LGBTI pride parade was the last one that was allowed by the Turkish authorities. Al the following parades scheduled in 2015,
- [[VIDEO] 12 detained over Gulen links in Turkey’s Adana, Nevsehir](https://turkeypurge.org/video-12-detained-over-gulen-links-in-turkeys-adana-nevsehir/) - At least 12 people were detained over their alleged ties to the Gulen movement on Friday. Media reported that 2 female suspects detained in operation are accused of tutoring students for military academy entrance exams. Turkish government accuses Gulenists for the July 15, 2016 failed coup while the group denies involvement. Nearly 200,000 people are
- [At least 6,000 people subjected to torture or mistreatment in 2017: report](https://turkeypurge.org/at-least-6000-people-subjected-to-torture-or-mistreatment-in-2017-report/) - Turkey’s human rights organizations have said almost 6,000 people were subjected to torture or mistreatment in the country in 2017, the T24 news website reported on Wednesday. The Diyarbakır branches of the Human Rights Association (İHD) and Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) held a press conference along with the Diyarbakır Medical Chamber and Diyarbakır Bar
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 192 military personnel: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-192-military-personnel-report/) - Turkish authorities have issued detention warrants for a total of 192 military personnel over alleged links to the Gülen group, accused of orchestrating a failed coup two years ago, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing authorities and media. Among the military personnel sought by the Ankara prosecutors are one former brigadier general and 30 pilots, 99
- [Arrest warrants issued for 102 purged military students, police officers](https://turkeypurge.org/arrest-warrants-issued-for-102-purged-military-students-police-officers/) - Arrest warrants were issued for 102 people in 23 provinces as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, on Tuesday. Media reported that Bursa-based investigation seeks arrest of 55 dismissed police officers, 38 students purged from military academy, 8 dismissed military officers and a public sector employee. Police carried out operations to detain the
- [18 students, 3 teachers detained during police raid on prep school](https://turkeypurge.org/18-students-3-teachers-detained-during-police-raid-on-prep-school/) - At least 21 people have been detained during a police raid on a prep school established by teachers who were earlier removed from their jobs over their alleged ties to the Gulen movement. Anti-terror police in Turkey’s western province of Denizli raided a tutoring centre in Merkezefendi district on accusations that it was set up
- [Escaping from Erdogan, 1,177 diplomats, senior officials from Turkey claimed asylum in Germany](https://turkeypurge.org/escaping-from-erdogan-1177-diplomats-senior-officials-from-turkey-claimed-asylum-in-germany/) - A total of 296 Turkish diplomats and 881 service passport holders have claimed asylum in Germany since the July 15, 2016 failed coup, according to Die Welt. The number of asylum-seeking Turkish diplomats and holders of the service passport –only given to senior public officials and their family members– who have sought protection in Germany has increased
- [Kurdish singer detained over social media postings](https://turkeypurge.org/kurdish-singer-detained-over-social-media-postings/) - Kurdish singer Hozan Cane was detained on her way back from pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) election campaign in Edirne’s Enez district. The 47-year-old singer who has also German citizenship was stopped by police near downtown Edirne on Saturday. Media reported that she was detained on accusations of making terror propaganda with her social media
- [2 OSCE election observers refused entry to Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/2-osce-election-observers-refused-entry-to-turkey-report/) - Two European parliamentarians has been barred from entering Turkey ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday. The bans for the two parliamentarians from Germany and Sweden, European countries that are home to large ethnic Turkish communities, are fueling concerns among rights activists that voting irregularities will go unchecked. According to a report by Deutsche
- [Istanbul court jails investigative journalist Öztürk on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbu-court-jails-investigative-journalist-ozturk-on-terror-charges/) - An Istanbul court on Wednesday sent another Turkish journalist to prison on terror charges. Ece Sevim Öztürk, an İstanbul-based Turkish journalist known for her investigative reporting on a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, was sent to prison after spending 13 days in police custody. She was reportedly jailed for “aiding the Gülen group,”
- [WATCH: Emotional reunion of mother, two sons after 8 months in Turkish prison on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/watch-emotional-reunion-of-mother-two-sons-after-8-months-in-turkish-prison-on-coup-charges/) - When these two boys finally got to see their imprisoned mother again, cameras were rolling, and so were the tears. Who doesn’t love a good birthday surprise? We all know the number one way to surprise a person on their birthday is with a cake at midnight. These boys were told by their aunts that
- [Amnesty’s Taner Kılıç remains in prison, İstanbul court rules](https://turkeypurge.org/amnestys-taner-kilic-remains-in-prison-istanbul-court-rules/) - The İstanbul 35th High Criminal Court on Thursday ruled to continue the pretrial detention of Amnesty International’s honorary Turkey chair, Taner Kılıç, at the fourth hearing of the trial of 11 human rights activists. Some of the activists, who were taken into police custody on July 5, 2017 during a meeting on Büyükada, one of İstanbul’s
- [511 German citizens scammed over alleged post-coup probes in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/511-german-citizens-scammed-over-alleged-post-coup-probes-in-turkey/) - At least 511 German citizens were scammed out of 7 million euros in total, fearing investigations allegedly opened against them in Turkey. Media reported Tuesday that 11 people were detained on fraud charges in Turkey’s resort province of Antalya. The detainees are accused of swindling German citizens who were tricked to giving away thousands of
- [Turkey seeks 15 years in prison for Enes Kanter’s father](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-15-years-in-prison-for-enes-kanters-father/) - A Turkish prosecutor has charged NBA star Enes Kanter’s father with “membership in a terror group,” seeking 15 years in jail for him. An indictment prepared by the public prosecutor’s office in Turkey’s Tekirdag province has been accepted by a penal court in the same city, pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper reported Monday. Kanter’s father, an
- [Switzerland issues arrest warrants for 2 Turkish diplomats allegedly involved in plan to kidnap businessman in Zurich: report](https://turkeypurge.org/switzerland-issues-2-turkish-diplomats-allegedly-involved-in-plan-to-kidnap-businessman-in-zurich-report/) - The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has issued arrest warrants for two Turkish diplomats for allegedly planning to kidnap a Turkish-Swiss businessman, according to the Swissinfo news website. Diplomatic immunity reportedly does not apply to the men, who are also accused of espionage. The office confirmed on Monday that they will arrest the
- [Turkish refugee father waits for papers to visit son diagnosed with cancer: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-refugee-father-waits-for-papers-to-visit-son-diagnosed-with-cancer-report/) - Şaban Koçal, a Turkish refugee in Germany, has been waiting for official papers to reunite in Greece with his family, including a 5-year-old son, Nail, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. According to journalist Cevheri Güven, writing on Twitter, Nail Koçal had been in İstanbul’s Bakırköy Prison with his mother last year. After their release
- [5-year-old Turkish asylum seeker in Athens diagnosed with cancer](https://turkeypurge.org/5-year-old-turkish-asylum-seeker-in-athens-diagnosed-with-leukaemia/) - A 5-year-old boy from Istanbul who, along with his mother, fled the Turkish government’s post-coup witch-hunt to Greece has been diagnosed with leukaemia in Athens. “Nail Koçal, a 5-year-old Turkish refugee in Greece, was diagnosed with leukaemia on Thursday. His blood values are so low that he immediately started chemotherapy treatment. They need your prayers
- [Report: Former police chief, in pre-trial detention for 23 months, dies of cancer](https://turkeypurge.org/report-former-police-chief-in-pre-trial-detention-for-23-months-dies-of-cancer/) - Former police chief İsmail Ülker, 42, has died of colon cancer after he spent 23 months in pre-trial detention, media reported Sunday. Jailed over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement in July, 2016, Ulker was denied release from prison despite his successive requests. Having spent 23 months behind bars pending trial, he was taken
- [[VIDEO] 4 teachers, 4 children detained while fleeing from Turkish gov’t to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-4-teachers-4-children-detained-while-fleeing-from-turkish-govt-to-greece/) - A total of nine people including 4 children and 4 teachers were detained while they were reportedly on their way to escape to Greece. Dogan news agency reported Saturday that the group was rounded up in a restricted military zone near Evros river in Edirne, a small province along Turkey’s Greek border. The ID check by the gendarmerie revealed
- [Canadian rights activist Nemat to jailed journalist Parıldak: We love you, think of you, do our best to make sure world knows about you](https://turkeypurge.org/canadian-rights-activist-nemat-to-jailed-journalist-parildak/) - “Please know that we love you, think of you, and do our best to make sure the world knows you. You are not alone. Don’t let darkness steal away all light from you. I pray and hope that your light overcomes,” said a letter penned by Marina Nemat, a Canadian rights activist, writer and the chair
- [Turkish prosecutor seeks over 20 years in prison for 6 former footballers](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-prosecutor-seeks-over-20-years-in-prison-for-6-former-footballers/) - An recent indictment filed by a Turkish prosecutor seeks 22.5 years of jail time for 6 former football players, accused of ties to the Gulen movement. The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged former soccer players Bekir İrtegün, Uğur Boral, Zafer Biryol, Ersin Güreler, Ömer Çatkıç and İsmail Şengül of being a member of a
- [92-year-old man dies after being hit by police vehicle in Turkey’s Tunceli: report](https://turkeypurge.org/92-year-old-man-dies-after-being-hit-by-police-vehicle-in-turkeys-tunceli-report/) - A 92-year-old man, named Ali Sezer, reportedly passed away after he was hit by an armored police vehicle in the eastern province of Tunceli. Media reported Wednesday that an armored infantry military vehicle hit Sezer while he was crossing a street in the Ataturk neighborhood in downtown Tunceli. The man was taken to the emergency
- [Several injured as CHP election office attacked in Konya](https://turkeypurge.org/several-injured-as-chp-election-office-attacked-in-konya/) - Several members of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) were injured when a group of unknown assailants attacked the party’s election office in the central province of Konya, the Diken news website reported on Wednesday. The incident took place in the late hours of Tuesday. CHP Deputy Chairman Aykut Erdoğdu tweeted that a large
- [Journalist Berzan Gunes jailed over social media posts](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-berzan-gunes-jailed-over-social-media-posts/) - Berzan Güneş, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya online news agency has been put in pre-trial detention due to his social media postings. Güneş was rounded up in the eastern province of Sirnak upon an earlier warrant early Monday. He appeared before the court on accusations of making propaganda on behalf of a terror group
- [492 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/492-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 492 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 568 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between June 4-11. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Man, in hiding from gov’t crackdown, dies due to delayed treatment as wife detained during funeral](https://turkeypurge.org/man-in-hiding-from-govt-crackdown-dies-due-to-delayed-treatment-as-wife-detained-during-funeral/) - A Turkish man, claimed to be a teacher with an outstanding arrest warrant over his links to the Gulen movement, has died during his long overdue treatment at hospital while his wife has been reportedly detained at the funeral. Several social media accounts claimed Sunday that Esra Celik was detained during the funeral of her
- [[VIDEO] 3 detained over Gulen links during midnight police raid in Turkey’s Konya](https://turkeypurge.org/video-3-detained-over-gulen-links-during-midnight-police-raid-in-turkeys-konya/) - Three people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement in Turkey’s central Anatolian province of Konya early Sunday. Arrest warrants were issued against several people who are believed to be hiding from the police due to their affiliation to Gulen movement in Konya’s Selcuk district. On Sunday, police raided an apartment
- [UN rights council urges Turkish gov’t to release Kacmaz family](https://turkeypurge.org/un-rights-council-urges-turkish-govt-to-release-kacmaz-family/) - The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the UN Human Rights Council has called on the Turkish government to immediately release Mesut Kaçmaz and Meral Kaçmaz, a couple that was abducted from their home after midnight in Lahore on September 27, 2017 and deported illegally by the Pakistani government to Turkey just two days before
- [[VIDEO] 25 including woman with newborn baby detained over links to gov’t-closed associations](https://turkeypurge.org/video-25-including-woman-with-newborn-baby-detained-over-links-to-govt-closed-associations/) - At least 25 people were detained as part of an investigation into 5 associations that were earlier closed by the government over their links to the Gulen movement, on Thursday. Detention warrants were issued for 64 people who used to work at the following, Istanbul-based associaitons: Zühal Businesswomen Association, Historical and Cultural Studies Association, Mehtap
- [Jailed man accuses inmates of ‘not supporting Turkish national soccer team’](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-man-accuses-inmates-of-not-supporting-turkish-national-soccer-team/) - An Igdir man, identified as A.B., who shared the same cell with people jailed over Gulen links told prosecutors, in an attempt to tap into the effective remorse law, that his cellmates “would not even support Turkish national soccer team” against its rivals. Hurriyet newspaper reported Friday that A.B. was giving his statement under the
- [Journalist Ahmet Turan Alkan loses 30 kg during 23 months in pre-trial detention: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-ahmet-turan-alkan-loses-30-kg-during-23-months-in-pre-trial-detention-lawyer/) - Turkish journalist Ahmet Turan Alkan, in pre-trial detention for 23 months, has lost 30 kilograms during his time behind bars, his lawyer Faruk Zorba said. “Ahmet Turan Alkan has lost 30 kilograms in prison. He did not talk about it but he has medical problems,” Zorba told the court during a hearing on Friday. The Istanbul
- [Investigative journalist Ece Sevim Öztürk detained](https://turkeypurge.org/investigative-journalist-ece-sevim-ozturk-detained/) - Ece Sevim Öztürk, a Turkish investigative journalist who produced a documentary on a controversial coup attempt on July 15, 2016 and promised to shock Turkey with her forthcoming book on the subject, was detained on Friday on charges of “disseminating terrorist propaganda,” according to a report by Çağdaş Ses, the left-wing online news outlet she
- [High schoolers detained during Istanbul protest, beaten inside police bus](https://turkeypurge.org/high-schoolers-detained-during-istanbul-protest-beaten-inside-police-bus/) - At least 30 high school students were detained in Istanbul after they protested the government for its education policies. A video footage posted online on Friday showed riot police beating some of those students inside a police van. “We were held under custody for hours. They cracked my head on three points. They split my
- [[VIDEO] Jailed doctor did not commit suicide but died due to torture: family](https://turkeypurge.org/video-jailed-doctor-did-not-commit-suicide-but-died-due-to-torture-family/) - Family members of İbrahim Halil Özyavuz, a medical doctor who was jailed in May over alleged links to the Gülen movement, said that Özyavuz did not commit suicide as previously reported but rather died after he was subjected to heavy torture by police officers while he was in pretrial detention. Turkish media reports had said
- [Former judge, 10 others detained while escaping from Turkey to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/former-judge-10-others-detained-while-escaping-from-turkey-to-greece/) - A total of 11 people have been stopped near in Edirne province while they were reportedly on their way to Greece, media reported. State-run Anadolu news agency said Monday that Edirne police stopped caught 11 people in 2 cars and a bus near Ipsala district. Eleven suspects include former judge Ismail Kurt as well as
- [Academic Busra Ersanli sentenced to 15 months in prison for signing 2016 peace petition](https://turkeypurge.org/academic-busra-ersanli-sentenced-to-15-months-in-prison-for-signing-2016-peace-petition/) - Turkish academic Büşra Ersanlı was sentenced to 1 years and 3 months in prison for signing signing a petition in 2016 criticizing the Turkish government for its violation of human rights and civilian casualties among the predominantly Kurdish population of eastern Turkey. An Istanbul court convicted Ersanli on charges of making propaganda on behalf of
- [446 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/446-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 446 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 446 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between May 28-June 4. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15,
- [Doctor jailed as part of Turkey’s post-coup purge commits suicide in pre-trial detention](https://turkeypurge.org/doctor-jailed-as-part-of-turkeys-post-coup-purge-commits-suicide-in-pre-trial-detention/) - Ibrahim Halil Özyavuz, a medical doctor who was put in pre-trial detention a month ago over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, has reportedly committed suicide in Silivri Prison. Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a rights defender and a medical doctor himself who was dismissed as part of the post-coup purge as well, tweeted on June
- [Dismissed public officer suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after 7 days in custody: report](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-public-officer-suffers-from-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-after-7-days-in-custody-report/) - A report by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) shows that a Turkish man who was kept under police custody for 7 days in the wake of a controversial coup attempt on July 15, 2016 lost his mental health because of torture, ill-treatment and trauma. A Turkish public official who said that he was exposed
- [Villagers tortured by soldiers in Turkey’s Hakkari, report claims](https://turkeypurge.org/villagers-tortured-by-soldiers-in-turkeys-hakkari-report-claims/) - Two villagers from Turkey’s Kurdish-majority Hakkari province have been tortured for hours by a group of soldiers while they were shepherding their sheep, according to media. Mezopotampya online news agency said Friday that Ramazan Tas and Nasır Taş, two shepherds from Hakkari’s Yufkali village were stopped by a group of 8 soldiers at a rural
- [Turkey’s Eren Keskin awarded 2018 Anna Lindh Prize](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-eren-keskin-awarded-2018-anna-lindh-prize/) - The Sweden-based Anna Lindh’s Memorial Fund has awarded human rights lawyer Eren Keskin with the 2018 Anna Lindh Prize. “She has worked tirelessly to help violence-deprived girls and women, as well as LGTBQ people and Syrian needers in Turkey,” said Lena Hjelm-Wallén, chairman of the memorial fund’s board. “Even when her work led to captivating,
- [Lawyer detained over Gulen links while at police station to defend client, under custody over same charges](https://turkeypurge.org/lawyer-detained-over-gulen-links-while-at-police-station-to-defend-client-under-custody-over-same-charges/) - A Tokat lawyer, identified as G.B., has been detained at a police station where he/she originally came to defend his/her client, under custody over links to the Gulen movement. It turns out that a detention warrant was earlier issued for G.B. as part of the same investigation that led his/her client to be taken under
- [Civil engineer gets 8 years and 9 months in prison over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/civil-engineer-gets-8-years-and-9-months-in-prison-over-gulen-links/) - A Kayseri-based civil engineer, identified as O.E., was given 8 years and 9 months of prison sentence over his links to the Gulen movement. In pre-trial detention for months, O.E. was convicted of membership to a terror group. Media reported on Tuesday that O.E. is accused of using ByLock mobile app and making his banking
- [Police detain 9 tax inspectors in Turkey’s Hatay](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-9-tax-inspectors-in-turkeys-hatay/) - Nine tax inspectors were detained as part of an investigation into Gulen movement supporters in the southern province of Hatay on Wednesday. Hatay police carried out operations at several locations and rounded up the nine suspects, some of whom were earlier dismissed from their jobs over Gulen links. Turkish government blames Gulenists for the July
- [Parents of 2-month-old baby under custody in Kocaeli over coup charges –claim](https://turkeypurge.org/parents-of-2-5-month-old-baby-under-custody-in-kocaeli-over-coup-charges-claim/) - Murat and Esra Yüksel, the parents of 2-month old Selman Yüksel, have been detained by police in Kocaeli province over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt in July 2016. The group denies any involvement. According to an e-mail sent to Turkeypurge editors on
- [‘Alternative’ medicine professor vows to take up arms if Erdogan loses June election](https://turkeypurge.org/alternative-medicine-professor-vows-to-take-up-arms-if-erdogan-loses-june-election/) - Ahmet Maranki, a professor of complementary medicine, has said during a live TV interview that a civil war would break out in Turkey if the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) does not win upcoming elections slated for June 24. Speaking on a live program on Akit TV on Wednesday night, Maranki said if the elections
- [Turkish cartoonist gets one-year jail sentence for insulting Moses in drawings: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-cartoonist-gets-one-year-jail-sentence-for-insulting-moses-in-drawings-report/) - An İstanbul court has sentenced cartoonist Seyfi Şahin to one year, 15 days in prison for “insulting sacred values” in a cartoon featuring the biblical prophet Moses. The ruling was made by the Küçükçekmece 2nd Penal Court of First Instance on Thursday. In the cartoon, Moses “proudly” talks about how he held out his staff and
- [Dean removed from post after ‘allowing opposition presidential candidate onto Cerrahpaşa campus’](https://turkeypurge.org/dean-removed-from-post-after-allowing-opposition-presidential-candidate-into-cerrahpasa-campus/) - Alaattin Duran, the dean of Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, was removed from his job several hours after Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate Muharrem İnce paid a visit to the faculty’s campus on Thursday. İnce held a public demonstration at the Cerrahpasa campus early on May 24, and vowed to abolish a government-sponsored law to establish 20 new universities across Turkey while
- [Armenian-origin human rights activist sent to prison over critical tweets: report](https://turkeypurge.org/armenian-origin-human-rights-activist-sent-to-prison-over-critical-tweets-report/) - A Turkish court arrested Rozerin Zeri, a human rights activist of Armenian origin, due to her social media posts deemed to be “propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization.” According to a tweet posted by Acun Karadağ, a history teacher who was fired from his job with a government decree issued by the Turkish government
- [Printing machines belonging to gov’t-closed media group up for sale](https://turkeypurge.org/printing-machines-belonging-to-govt-closed-media-group-up-for-sale/) - Machines that would once print daily copies of the Zaman newspaper and its affiliates have been put up for sale by the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). 2 newspaper printing machines, 2 CTP machines, and 1 packaging line that were seized from the now-defunct Feza Gazetecilik media group were listed to be sold at
- [12 including 3 teachers, 5 children detained while fleeing Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/12-including-3-teachers-5-children-detained-while-fleeing-turkeys-post-coup-crackdown-to-greece/) - A total of twelve people including 5 children were detained while they were reportedly on their way to escape to Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Media reported Sunday that the group was rounded up after Turkey’s coastal guard stopped their boat off the Pigeon Island in the western province of Aydin. The ID check
- [57 air force cadets given consecutive life sentences over coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/57-air-force-cadets-given-consecutive-life-sentences-over-coup-charges-report/) - An Istanbul court on Friday handed down life sentences to 57 air force cadets and aggravated life imprisonment to six others for their alleged role in a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The 28th High Criminal Court in Silivri acquitted two suspects while ruling for the continued
- [Purge-victim police chief ‘dies of heart attack’ in prison — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-police-chief-dies-of-heart-attack-in-prison-claim/) - Oğuz Karakuş, a retired police chief who has been held in pre-trial detention since May 2016, died on Monday following a heart attack in an İzmir prison, several twitter users claimed. The claim has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Turkish authorities. Karakuş was arrested by an İzmir court in May 2016 over his alleged links to
- [Motion filed against pro-Kurdish HDP deputy for calling 1915 ‘genocide’](https://turkeypurge.org/motion-filed-against-pro-kurdish-hdp-deputy-for-calling-1915-genocide/) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion against pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Deputy Garo Paylan over his alleged violation of the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Article 301 criminalizes denigration of the Turkish nation, the Turkish state, the Turkish Parliament, the government of the Republic of Turkey and the legal
- [Pro-Kurdish singer beaten up in Bakırköy prison after refusing strip search: report](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-singer-beaten-up-in-bakirkoy-prison-after-refusing-strip-search-report/) - Pınar Aydınlar, a famous folk singer and a council member of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), was beaten by guards at İstanbul’s Bakırköy prison after refusing a strip search, according to the Cumhuriyet daily. Aydınlar was arrested on Tuesday due to a final judgment by the İzmir 2nd High Criminal Court, immediately upon her arrival at İstanbul Atatürk
- [Turkish folk singer arrested at airport to serve 10 months in prison over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-folk-singer-arrested-at-istanbul-airport-to-serve-10-months-in-prison/) - Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) party council member Pınar Aydınlar, also a famous folk singer, was arrested on Tuesday due to a final judgment by the İzmir 2nd High Criminal Court, immediately upon her arrival at İstanbul Atatürk Airport from Germany, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. The court’s original verdict, in which Aydınlar was convicted of “disseminating terrorist
- [At least 46 detained across Turkey on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/at-least-46-detained-across-turkey-on-coup-charges-report/) - At least 46 people were detained on May 14 during simultaneous police raids across 15 provinces over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to the Hurriyet daily, the detentions took place as part of an investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Turkey
- [Turkey’s post-coup crackdown leads to climate of fear, self-censorship in academia: HRW](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-post-coup-crackdown-leads-to-climate-of-fear-self-censorship-in-academia-hrw/) - Turkey’s universities are experiencing a period of self-censorship and a lack of academic freedom as hundreds of academic staff members face prosecution and thousands more have lost their jobs, international nongovernmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released on Monday. “The Turkish government’s crackdown is targeting academics and damaging its universities,” said Hugh
- [Medical professor dismissed over family ties to pro-Kurdish deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/medical-professor-dismissed-over-family-ties-to-pro-kurdish-deputy/) - Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Meral Danış Beştaş has said his brother Ramazan Danış, a medical professor, was dismissed from his job only because of his family ties. “I wouldn’t want to reveal this but I had to because this period is coming to an end. My brother is a medical professor, a nephrologist.
- [Zaman columnist, in pre-trial detention for 21 months now, denied release during court appearance](https://turkeypurge.org/zaman-columnist-in-pre-trial-detention-for-21-months-now-denied-release-during-court-appearance/) - A high criminal court in the western Turkish province of Uşak has ruled for the continuation of the arrest of former Zaman daily columnist Ali Ünal, who was jailed in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016. Ünal’s trial resumed at the Uşak 2nd High Criminal Court on Thursday, when
- [Report: Purged architects, engineers banned from building inspector jobs until the year 3025](https://turkeypurge.org/report-purged-architects-engineers-banned-from-building-inspector-jobs-until-the-year-3025/) - Architects and engineers who were removed from their jobs at public institutions with post-coup emergency decrees, has been banned from serving as building inspector until the year 3025, media reported. A recent notice, allegedly sent by the Environment and Urban Ministry to the dismissed architects and engineers, said they are not allowed to work as
- [3-month pregnant history teacher put in pre-trial detention on coup charges in İzmir — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/3-month-pregnant-history-teacher-put-in-pre-trial-detention-on-coup-charges-in-izmir-claim/) - Meltem Güney, a 29-year old history teacher, has been put in pre-trial detention over alleged membership to Turkey’s Gülen group, accused of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. The movement denies any involvement. According to Ferhat Tunç, one of Turkey’s most renowned human rights activists, tweeted on May 10 that Güney is 3 month-pregnant and
- [Imprisoned professor allowed to attend mother’s funeral in handcuffs](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-professor-allowed-to-attend-mothers-funeral-in-handcuffs/) - Professor Onur Hamzaoğlu, the spokesperson of Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) umbrella, was released from prison for a day to attend his mother’s funeral in handcuffs. Hamzaoğlu was earlier fired from his job at Kocaeli university with a decree issued by the Turkish government in the aftermath of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. He was
- [Zaman Trial: Columnist Ali Bulaç released pending trial, 9 others remain behind bars](https://turkeypurge.org/zaman-trial-columnist-ali-bulac-released-pending-trial-9-others-remain-behind-bars/) - An İstanbul court on Saturday ruled for the release of Ali Bulaç, a columnist for now-closed Zaman daily, and Mehmet Özdemir, the managing editor of now-closed Yeni Hayat daily. 9 other Zaman journalists, columnists remain in jail. The ordeal is not over. Final hearing set for 7-8 June. Zaman journalists are facing “terrorism” and “coup-plotting” charges
- [[VIDEO] Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia calls graduates of local Gulen school terrorist](https://turkeypurge.org/video-turkish-ambassador-to-macedonia-calls-graduates-of-local-gulen-school-terrorist/) - Tülin Betül Kara, Turkish Ambassador to Macedonian capital of Skopje last week made remarks that shocked the country about schools linked to the faith-based Gülen movement operating there, implying that they were raising students to be terrorists, according to the Romanya Haber website. Speaking at a Turkish government-backed Maarif Foundation school in Tetovo province, Kara said on
- [[VIDEO] Dormitory manager, teacher wife jailed over Gulen links in Turkey’s Karabuk](https://turkeypurge.org/video-dormitory-manager-teacher-wife-jailed-over-gulen-links-in-karabuk/) - A Karabuk couple, both educators who earlier lost their jobs in the face of the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown, has been jailed pending trial over Gulen links. Y.E., the manager of the now-defunct student dormitory that was closed over Gulen links, and his wife E.E., a teacher removed from her job over similar charges, have
- [[VIDEO] Gun attack on opposition Good Party founder’s house](https://turkeypurge.org/video-gun-attack-on-opposition-good-party-founders-house/) - An armed attack was staged on the house of Mehmet Arslan, an actor-turned-politician who is among founding members of the opposition Good Party, on Sunday. A video footage obtained by Turkish media outlets shows that two masked people stopped their scooter outside Arslan’s home in Istanbul’s Bagcilar and fired a gun to the direction of the
- [Teacher, diagnosed with cancer after dismissal, dies: report](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-diagnosed-with-cancer-after-dismissal-dies-report/) - An Adana-based taecher who was removed from her job as part of the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown, has died of cancer, according to media. Hatice Ezgi Orçan was diagnosed with cancer after she was dismissed from the post with an emergency decree. The 33-year-old teacher had several surgeries to recover, ton no avail. With most
- [6 including university student, teacher caught while fleeing Turkish gov’t to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/6-including-university-student-teacher-caught-while-fleeing-turkish-govt-to-greece/) - Six people were detained in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were reportedly fleeing Turkish government’s post-coup witch-hunt to Greece. Hurriyet newspaper said Tuesday that the group of 6, rounded up along with Syrian and Afghan aslum seekers, were caught in a military zone near Edirne’s Pasakoy village. The Turkish detainees include a university
- [Turkey’s State of Emergency shrinking space for dissidents : UN](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-state-of-emergency-shrinking-space-for-dissidents-un/) - “Protracted restrictions on the human rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association are incompatible with the conduct of a credible electoral process in Turkey,” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High commissioner for human rights, said in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that these rights are particularly crucial in the context of elections. “On
- [Indictment accuses 4 journalists of ‘leading an armed terrorist group’](https://turkeypurge.org/indictment-accuses-4-journalists-of-leading-an-armed-terrorist-group/) - A İstanbul prosecutor has accused four journalists from now-defunct Zaman newspaper of “leading an armed terrorist group,” which could lead to a sentence of up to 22 years, six month, P24 news portal reported. The Zaman newspaper, which was seized on March 4, 2016 and then closed down by the Turkish government under a state of
- [Businessmen who spent over a year in pre-trial detention dies of cancer: report](https://turkeypurge.org/businessmen-who-spent-over-a-year-in-pre-trial-detention-dies-of-cancer-report/) - Ali Hocaoğlu, a Turkish businessmen who had spent a year in pre-trial detention over his alleged links to the Gulen movement, has died of gastric cancer, according to media. Izmir-based businessman was jailed as part of an investigation into the Gulen followers in around April, 2017. Nearly a month ago his medical condition got so
- [Detention warrants issued for 52 including doctors, engineers, teachers, pharmacists](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-for-52-including-doctors-engineers-teachers-pharmacists/) - Detention warrants were issued for 52 people including doctors, engineers, pharmacists, teachers and police officers on Monday. The suspects are accused of having used ByLock, an encrypted mobile messaging app that Turkish prosecutors claim to be the top communication tool the followers of the Gulen movement. State-run Anadolu news agency said some of the suspects had
- [Wife died in exile in Greece, brother detained in midnight raid in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/wife-died-in-exile-in-greece-brother-detained-in-midnight-raid-in-turkey/) - Mehmet Ali Uludağ, a Turkish refugee in Germany who lost his wife to cerebral hemorrhage last week, said that his elder brother has been detained in a midnight raid back home. “My pain has been multiplied now. I have two brothers. One is Veli Uludağ who died as a martyr for Turkey in 1996. My other
- [Woman sentenced to 10 years on terror charges, sent to prison with 7-month-old son](https://turkeypurge.org/woman-sentenced-to-10-years-on-terror-charges-sent-to-prison-with-7-month-old-son/) - Büneyye Özmen, 29-year old Turkish woman and the mother of 7-month-old son has been sentenced to 10 years, 6 months in prison over her links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. The group denies any involvement. Özmen was initially detained in October 2017, hours after she gave birth to her son
- [Antakya court arrests Can Erzincan TV news director](https://turkeypurge.org/antakya-court-arrests-can-erzincan-tv-news-director/) - Ali Demirel, the former news director of Can Erzincan TV channel, was put in pre-trial detention on Friday over alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. The group denies any involvement. Can Erzincan TV was shut down by a decree issued by the Turkish government after the coup
- [4-year-old disabled girl unable to receive treatment in Germany as parents face travel ban due to emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/4-year-old-disabled-girl-unable-to-receive-treatment-in-germany-as-parents-face-travel-ban-due-to-emergency-rule/) - A 4-year-old girl from Turkey’s Mersin province who has been suffering from microcephaly, a rare medical condition in which the newborn’s skull is much smaller than expected, is unable to leave Turkey as her parents face travel ban due to post-coup emergency rule. In addition microcephaly, Arin Rohani has also difficulty in speaking and walking,
- [[FULL LIST] The Fallen of Turkey’s Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/full-list-at-least-106-purge-victims-die-commit-suicide-since-july-15-coup-attempt/) - Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July 15, 2016 that killed 249 people. Immediately after the putsch, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government along with President Erdoğan pinned the blame on the Gülen group. The group denies any involvement. Sınce the coup attempt, at least 106 people have died while in pre-trial detention or in
- [French, Int’l organizations express solidarity with jailed Turkish journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/french-intl-organizations-express-solidarity-with-jailed-turkish-journalists/) - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), National Journalists Union (SNJ) and CFDT-Journalists voiced concern for journalists jailed in Turkey and expressed solidarity with them in a program organized for World Press Freedom Day in Paris. Speaking at a gathering in front of Paris’ historic municipal building, Anthony Bellanger, secretary-general of the IFJ, described Turkey as
- [Medicine courier for Gulen-linked hospital in Tanzania sentenced to 9 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/medicine-courier-for-gulen-linked-hospital-in-tanzania-sentenced-to-9-years-in-prison/) - A 60-year-old Kayseri man, identified as A.S., was sentenced to 9 years in prison on accusations of membership to an armed terror group, according to media on Thursday. Under pre-trial detention since Jan 30, this year, A.S. was convicted of terror charges during his final hearing and the judge overseeing his case ruled for the
- [Campaign seeks donations for purge-victim Turkish refugees in Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/campaign-seeks-donations-for-purge-victim-turkish-refugees-in-greece/) - A fundraising campaign has been launched for the Turkish refugees who cross into Greece in order to escape an ongoing purge in Turkey. Thousands of people have fled Turkey due to a massive witch-hunt launched by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government against sympathizers of the Gülen group in the wake of a
- [Istanbul police detain 66 people during Tuesday’s May Day marches](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-police-detain-66-people-detained-during-tuesdays-may-day-marches/) - Turkish police on Tuesday detained 66 people as they attempted to mark May Day by marching in Istanbul, Cumhuriyet reported. According to the report, 56 people were detained in Beşiktaş, six in Maltepe, two in Beyoğlu and two in the Şişli district of Istanbul. According to the Turkish media over 26,000 police officers have been
- [Turkey seeks 5 years in prison for pro-Kurdish HDP deputies: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-5-years-in-prison-for-pro-kurdish-hdp-deputies-report/) - An İstanbul prosecutor is seeking five years in prison for two pro-Kurdish politician, Selahattin Demirtaş and Sırrı Süreyya Önder. Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Önder are accused of spreading terror propaganda in speeches they gave five years ago. The two politicans reportedly made
- [Pro-Erdogan group hacks Twitter accounts of EU Commissioner Hahn, former NATO head](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-erdogan-group-hacks-twitter-accounts-of-eu-commissioner-hahn-former-nato-head/) - The Twitter accounts of the European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn and of NATO former Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen were taken over by the Turkish hacker group Ayyildiz over the weekend. The hacker group posted pro-Erdogan tweets from both accounts. “I want to make a confession! We knew that the coup was going to take place
- [At least 489 people detained over Gulen links in past week: data](https://turkeypurge.org/at-least-489-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-data/) - At least 489 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 489 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Apr 23-30. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt while
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 25 air force officers on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-25-air-force-officers-on-coup-charges/) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s offices on Monday issued detention warrants for 25 air force officers of varying ranks as part of an investigation into theTurkey’s Gülen group. According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, 11 of the 25 were dismissed by a state of emergency decree, 12 were suspended and two had previously retired.
- [Dismissed public servant free after 133 days of disappearance, another 11 days in custody](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-public-servant-free-after-133-days-of-disappearance-another-11-days-in-custody/) - Ümit Horzum, a former public servant who was earlier removed from his job at Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) in a government’s post-coup emergency decree, has been released from police custody where he spent 11 days after his 133 days of disappearance. “God bless you all. Thanks for your prayers. My husband was released. We try
- [Escaped Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, woman dies of heart attack in exile](https://turkeypurge.org/escaped-turkeys-post-coup-crackdown-to-greece-woman-dies-of-heart-attack-in-exile/) - A 35-year old Turkish woman, named Esma Uludağ, who fled Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, passed away on Saturday night due to a heart attack. Esma Uludağ, mother of three children, aged 3, 7 and 10 years old, worked as a civil servant in a district governor’s office in İzmir province until she was
- [Turkish police confirm: ‘Gülenist’ businessman abducted in Baku flown to Turkey early on Friday](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-confirm-gulenist-businessman-abducted-in-baku-flown-to-turkey-early-on-friday/) - Turkish police has confirmed to the Hürriyet daily that Turkish businessman Mustafa Ceyhan who was kidnapped on April 28 by a group of eight people in front of a courthouse in Baku, was flown to Turkey early on April 29. Upon his forcefull return to Turkey, the businessman was put in pre-trial detention by an İstanbul court
- [Autopsy report confirms: 32-year-old woman with SLE dies in Mersin prison](https://turkeypurge.org/autopsy-report-confirms-32-year-old-woman-with-sle-dies-in-mersin-prison/) - Halime Gülsu, a teacher who was arrested on Feb. 20, 2018 for alleged links to the Turkey’s Gülen group, died on Saturday in a Mersin prison, an autopsy report of her death confirmed. Gülsu reportedly suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a heterogeneous, inflammatory, multisystem autoimmune disease in which antinuclear antibodies occur often years before clinical symptoms.
- [Fear sweeping across Turkey under state of emergency: Amnesty International](https://turkeypurge.org/fear-sweeping-across-turkey-under-state-of-emergency-amnesty-international/) - “A chilling climate of fear is sweeping across Turkish society as the Turkish government continues to use the state of emergency to shrink the space for dissenting or alternative views,” Amnesty International said in its latest report on Turkey and urged the Turkish government to release Taner Kılıç and other human rights defenders and civil society
- [Ankara prosecutor issues detention warrants for 48 teachers](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-prosecutor-issues-detention-warrants-for-48-teachers/) - Detention warrants were issued for a total of 48 teachers as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, on Friday. Police carried out operations in 11 provinces to detain the suspects upon the warrants issued by an Ankara prosecutor. The suspected teachers used to work for the schools which were closed down by the
- [Assets of 11 media outlets seized from gov’t critics up for sale](https://turkeypurge.org/assets-of-11-media-outlets-seized-from-govt-critics-up-for-sale/) - Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) has put property belonging to 11 media outlets that were closed down by the Turkish government in the aftermath of a failed coup on July 15, 2016 up for sale for TL 606,395. The property belongs to media organizations such as the Jin News Agency (JINHA) Diyarbakır bureau, Azadiya
- [[VIDEO] 5 detained over ByLock use in Turkey’s Kayseri](https://turkeypurge.org/video-5-detained-over-bylock-use-in-turkeys-kayseri/) - At least 5 people were detained over their alleged use of ByLock mobile application in Turkey’s central Anatolian province of Kayseri, media reported Friday. A Turkish prosecutor issued detention warrants for a total of 8 people in Kayseri on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock. Turkish authorities believe that ByLock is a communication tool among
- [Co-owners of Antalya hotel chain jailed in post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/co-owners-of-antalya-hotel-chain-jailed-in-post-coup-crackdown/) - Two co-owners of the Antalya-based Delphin hotels have been put in pretrial detention as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement. Media reported Friday that A.C. and his wife M.C. were arrested mainly on accusations of the membership to the movement. According to the media, A.C. was a board member of the now-closed Antalya
- [Security guards beat students protesting government bill to divide Gazi university](https://turkeypurge.org/security-guard-beats-gazi-students-protesting/) - A video shared by the Yarın news portal shows the moment a group of university students being beaten by security staff at Ankara’s Gazi University campus. Students were reportedly attacked while they were protesting a recent government proposal to establish 20 new universities across Turkey while dividing some of the existing universities. Among the universities determined to be
- [Journalist, lawyer given 17-month jail time each for accusing minister’s spouse of ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-lawyer-given-17-month-jail-time-each-for-accusing-ministers-spouse-of-bylock-use/) - Journalist Ismail Küçükkaya and lawyer Fidel Okan were sentenced to 1 year 4 months and 20 days in jail each for implying that the family issues minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya’s husband had used the controversial mobile app, ByLock. An Istanbul prosecutor earlier launched investigation against Küçükkaya and Okan for their ByLock accusations against the minister’s husband. In
- [Teacher dies of cancer in pre-trial detention: report](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-dies-of-cancer-in-pre-trial-detention-report/) - An Elazig teacher identified as Cemal Gürer has died of cancer, according to online news portal Akfifhaber. Jailed over his links to the Gulen movement, Gürer was in pre-trial detention for some time, Aktifhaber said Wednesday. “His cancer problem relapsed while in prison and Gurer lacked adequate treatment in prison,” the news outlet said. Turkish
- [Turkey drops 2 spots to rank 157th out of 180 countries in 2018 World Press Freedom Index by RSF](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-drops-2-spots-to-rank-157th-out-of-180-countries-in-2018-world-press-freedom-index-by-rsf/) - Turkey, which has jailed more than 250 journalists and media workers, is ranked 157th among 180 countries in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index released on Wednesday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). As the world’s biggest prison for professional journalists, Turkey has managed to fall another two places in the past year, which saw a succession of mass
- [532 people detained over Gulen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/532-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-govt/) - At least 532 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 532 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Apr 16-23. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt while
- [Teacher couple rounded up after 9 months in hiding](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-couple-rounded-up-after-9-months-in-hiding/) - A Bolu couple, both teachers, has been arrested after 9 months in hiding on Apr 23. H.H. and his wife Z.H. were earlier given 7.5 years of prison sentence each on accusation of membership to the Gulen movement. A Bolu prosecutor has issued arrest warrants for the couple as they failed to turn themselves in
- [25-year-old woman escapes Turkey’s witch-hunt as Bosnia grants asylum](https://turkeypurge.org/25-year-old-woman-escapes-turkeys-witch-hunt-as-bosnia-grants-asylum/) - A 25-year-old woman, identified as H.G., was granted asylum by Bosnian court which dismissed Turkey’s request for extradition, according to media. Reuters reported on Monday that H.G. an appeal court in Bosnia last month ruled against the extradition of H.G. on the grounds that she had requested asylum in Bosnia before Turkey had asked for
- [70-year-old retired teacher in pre-trial detention for 19 months in Denizli — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/70-year-old-retired-teacher-in-pre-trial-detention-for-19-months-in-denizli-claim/) - Mehmet Yavaş, a retired teacher has been held in a prison in Denizli province for almost nineteen months over his alleged links to the Gülen group, which accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to a social media user named Kaya Tunca, Yavaş is 70 years old and suffers from hernia and migraine. His wife,
- [Turkey violates laws prohibiting arbitrary arrest, detention: US human rights report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-violates-laws-prohibiting-arbitrary-arrest-detention-us-human-rights-report/) - The Turkish government has not always observed the requirements of law that prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of arrest or detention in court, said a report released by the US State Department. The State Department released its 64-page Turkey 2017 Human Rights Report on Friday, according to
- [4,167 Gulenists in 110 countries under investigation in Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/4167-gulenists-in-110-countries-under-investigation-in-turkey-aa/) - At least 4,167 in 110 countries are being investigated in Turkey over their links to the Gulen movement, the state-run Anadolu news agency (AA) said Thursday. AA said that an arrest request issued by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office for the three Turkish nationals, forcedly returned from Gabon to Turkey earlier this month, has revealed
- [Canadian lawyers urge Erdogan to release jailed Turkish colleague with cancer](https://turkeypurge.org/canadian-lawyers-urge-erdogan-to-release-jailed-turkish-colleague-with-cancer/) - The Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), a committee of Canadian lawyers who promote human rights and the rule of law by providing support internationally to human rights defenders in danger, on Tuesday sent a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül demanding the immediate release of jailed lawyer Mustafa Aydın and the provision
- [Columnist Alpay’s house subject to random searchings even at midnights: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/columnist-alpays-house-subject-to-random-searchings-even-at-midnights-lawyer/) - The house belonging to veteran journalist Şahin Alpay, who was released pending trial on May 17 after spending 20 months in jail, has been subject to frequent and random searchings by police even at midnights, according to Alpay’s lawyer. Alpay was jailed in the aftermath of a military coup attempt on July 15, 2016 over
- [Families of jailed Boğaziçi students: Everything is a crime in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/families-of-jailed-bogazici-students-everything-is-a-crime-in-turkey/) - On March 19, a group of students protested other students who had set up a stand at İstanbul’s Boğaziçi University campus to distribute Turkish delight in memory of Turkish soldiers killed during the Turkish military’s operation in Afrin, Syria. Police identified 17 of the protestors and detained 15 of them. So far, 13 Boğaziçi student have
- [Turkish academic gets 18 months in prison over ‘Gülen propaganda’](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-academic-gets-18-months-in-prison-over-gulen-propaganda/) - Koray Çalışkan, an associate professor who was put in house arrest on July 10 as part of an investigation into 20 university academics, has been sentenced to one year, six months and 22 days in prison for disseminating the propaganda of Gülen movement on social media. According to the pro-government Sabah daily, the ruling was made by
- [Ankara authorities rename ‘Gülenist’ streets](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-authorities-renames-gulenist-streets/) - The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has changed the names of streets and avenues that bear the last name of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, who is accused by the Turkish government of mounting a botched coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to Anadolu News Agency, seven streets and avenues in various districts of the capital Ankara have
- [Turkey arrests four more journalists from pro-Kurdish Etkin news agency: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-arrests-four-more-journalists-from-pro-kurdish-etkin-news-agency-report/) - A Turkish court on Thursday ruled for the arrest of four journalists affiliated with the Etkin News Agency (ETHA). The arrestees — Semiha Şahin, Pınar Gayıp, Ferhat Harun Pehlivan, Gülsen İmre — are accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “spreading propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization.” Turkey is the biggest jailer of journalists in
- [Turkey strips 2 more pro-Kurdish deputies of parliamentary status, bringing total to 11](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-strips-2-more-pro-kurdish-deputies-of-parliamentary-status-bringing-total-to-11/) - The Turkish Parliament has stripped pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies Osman Baydemir and Selma Irmak of their parliamentary status, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. The decision was made due to the approval by an appeals court of sentences the two depuies had previously received. A regional appeals court in Gaziantep in February approved a 10-year jail
- [Pro-Kurdish HDP deputy gets 7 years in prison on terrorism charges](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-hdp-deputy-gets-7-years-in-prison-on-terrorism-charges/) - A Turkish court has sentenced pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Burcu Çelik Özkan to prison for alleged terrorism propaganda, according to a report by the pro-Kurdish Mesopotamia news agency. Özkan was sentenced to seven years, three months and 10 days on charges of disseminating propaganda for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). She had previously
- [4 journalists from seized pro-Kurdish daily put in pre-trial detention on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/4-journalists-from-seized-pro-kurdish-daily-put-in-pre-trial-detention-on-terror-charges/) - A Turkish court on Tuesday ruled to arrest three editors and one media worker from the pro-Kurdish Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspaper, which was seized by the Turkish government in late March on the grounds that it has links to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Özgürlükçü Demokrasi is the successor of the Özgür Gündem newspaper, which
- [Turkey arrests another German national on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-arrests-another-german-national-on-coup-charges-report/) - Adil Demirci, a Turkish origin German ciziten, has been put in pre-rial detention in Turkey over alleged “membership in a terrorist organization.” According to the German news portal Deutsche Welle, Demirci was initially detained by the Turkish police on April 13 along Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayip, two journalists affiliated with the pro-Kurdish ETHA news agency. He is
- [Military officer suspended in post-coup crackdown shots himself dead outside former workplace](https://turkeypurge.org/military-officer-suspended-in-post-coup-crackdown-shots-himself-dead-outside-former-workplace/) - Fatih Uğur Koştan, a former captain who was removed from his post in February due to his alleged links to the Gülen movement, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt in July 2016, committed suicide in İzmir province late on Tuesday, Turkish media reported. Koştan reportedly went to his
- [State of Emergency in Turkey extended for 7th consecutive time](https://turkeypurge.org/state-of-emergency-in-turkey-extended-for-7th-consecutive-time/) - Turkey’s post-coup emergency rule was extended for another three months following general assembly meeting at the parliament on Wednesday. The extension is the seventh since the State of Emergency was first declared in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup. The extension was listed among the recommendations declared following the National Security Council
- [Turkey to dismiss 3,000 more active duty officers on coup charges: Defense Minister](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-to-dismiss-3000-more-active-duty-officers-on-coup-charges-defense-minister/) - The Turkish government has identified a total of 3,000 active duty military officers suspected of links to the Gülen group, said Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli on Wednesday. “They will be dismissed with a government decree in the coming days,”Canikli stated according to report by the Hürrüyet daily. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has
- [Missing ‘Gülenist’ public servant handed over to police after 133 days of disappearance: report](https://turkeypurge.org/missing-gulenist-public-servant-handed-over-to-police-after-133-days-of-disappearance-report/) - Ümit Horzum, a Turkish citizen who was allegedly abducted from his car in Ankara on December 6, 2017, was handed over to the Ankara police on Monday, the family members told the TurkeyPurge editors. Horzum’s disappearance made it to the news for the first time when a Twitter account believed to be controlled by Umit’s wife tweeted in
- [Thousands hold sit-in protest in İstanbul against ongoing state of emergency](https://turkeypurge.org/thousands-hold-sit-in-protest-in-istanbul-against-ongoing-state-of-emergency/) - Thousands of people affiliated with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) held a sit-in in İstanbul’s Taksim area on Monday protesting government plans to extend a state of emergency, known as OHAL, which was declared following a failed coup attempt in July 2016. Police teams prevented the crowd from entering Taksim Square, forcing the
- [Kosovo grants asylum to Turkish educator who escaped Turkey’s abduction attempt](https://turkeypurge.org/kosovo-grants-asylum-to-turkish-educator-after-escaping-turkeys-abduction-attempt/) - Ugur Toksoy, a Turkish national who is believed to be a member of Turkey’s Gülen group, has been granted asylum in Kosovo, after escaping an attempted abduction by the Turkish intelligence service in Kosovo. Teksoy, a teacher at Gülen affiliated Hasan Nahi school in Prizren, is reportedly sought by Turkey over his link to the
- [Italian bar association calls for support for arrested lawyers in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/italian-bar-association-calls-for-support-for-arrested-lawyers-in-turkey/) - The Italian National Bar Association, Il Consiglio Nazionale Forense, released a statement on Thursday on the occasion of the Day of the Lawyer, marked every April 5 in Turkey, to extend their support for lawyers under arrest in Turkey. In the statement, the association expressed its solidarity with the Turkish lawyers and called on Italian
- [Turkish professor gets 15 months in prison for signing 2016 peace declaration](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-professor-gets-15-months-in-prison-for-signing-2016-peace-declaration/) - Professor Füsun Üstel, one of the academics who signed a peace declaration in early 2016 criticizing the Turkish government for its violation of human rights and civilian casualties among the predominantly Kurdish population of eastern Turkey, has been handed down a prison sentence of 15 months on terror propaganda charges. The ruling was made by
- [Osman Kavala writes from prison: Spring is felt in the courtyards of the prison](https://turkeypurge.org/osman-kavala-writes-from-prison-spring-is-felt-in-the-courtyards-of-the-prison/) - Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and activist who has been held in pre-trial detention since November 2017, has written an open letter from İstanbul’s Silivri prison, in which he said the ongoing state of emergency has turned extraordinary accusations and victimization into common phenomena in Turkey. “Without having any concrete evidence, they easily accuse people
- [Government spokesman: Turkish secret services seized 80 ‘Gulenists’ from 18 countries so far](https://turkeypurge.org/government-spokesman-turkish-secret-services-seized-80-gulenists-from-18-countries-so-far/) - A total of 80 people affiliated with Turkey’s Gülen group has been captured and brought to Turkey from 18 different countries, according to Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdağ. “Up to today, the agency [Turkish National Intelligence Organization] have packaged up and delivered 80 FETÖ members from 18 countries,” Islamist newspaper Yeni Şafak quoted Bozdağ as saying. FETÖ
- [Detention warrant issued for pollster due to social media postings](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrant-issued-pollster-due-social-media-postings/) - Detention warrant was issued for Kemal Özkiraz, the coordinatior of the Eurasia Public Opinion Research Centre (AKAM), media reported on Tuesday. Police raided Özkiraz’s home and workplace, to no avail. A lawyer representing him said Özkiraz would stop by the prosecutor’s office to give his statement on Wednesday. The warrant was issued over his social
- [EU Commission on Kosovo abductions: Arbitrary arrest, exile against EU principles](https://turkeypurge.org/eu-commission-kosovo-abductions-arbitrary-arrest-exile-eu-principles/) - The arrest and subsequent deportation of six Turkish nationals legally residing in Kosovo raise questions about the respect of the due process of law,” said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the European Commission told Kosovo-based Gazeta Express on Tuesday. “The rule of law is a fundamental principal of the European Union. In line with its determination
- [27-year-old teacher infected with HIV virus while in prison: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/27-year-old-teacher-infected-hiv-virus-prison-lawyer/) - A 27-year-old Turkish teacher who was earlier jailed as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown against the Gulen movement, was infected with HIV virus while he was in prison, according to his lawyer. Lawyer Salih Koçak told Cumhuriyet newspaper on March 31 that his client, a teacher imprisoned over his alleged use of ByLock who
- [9 Bogaziçi students sent to prison for participating in protest against Turkey’s Afrin operation](https://turkeypurge.org/breaking-9-bogazici-students-sent-prison-participating-protest-turkeys-afrin-operation/) - 9 Boğaziçi student have been arrested by an İstanbul court while 6 others released pending trial after participating in protests against Turkey’s Afrin operation, the T24 news portal reported. On March 19, a group of students protested other students who had set up a stand at İstanbul’s Boğaziçi University campus to distribute Turkish delight in
- [Data: Turkish gov’t detained as many as 853 people over Gulen links in past week](https://turkeypurge.org/data-turkish-govt-detained-many-853-people-gulen-links-past-week/) - At least 853 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 568 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between March 19-26. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Report: At least 1,400 Turkish nationals claimed asylum in Germany in Jan-Feb alone](https://turkeypurge.org/report-least-1400-turkish-nationals-claimed-asylum-germany-jan-feb-alone/) - More than 1,400 Turks claimed asylum in Germany in the first two months of this year, according to German daily newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung. The corresponding number was around 5,700 in whole 2016 and 8,500 in 2017. Compiling data from the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), the newspaper said Germany is increasingly welcoming towards
- [1,250 academics in 37 countries campaign for Bogazici students’ release](https://turkeypurge.org/1250-academics-in-37-countries-campaign-for-release-of-bogazici-students/) - A total of 1,250 academics from more than 100 organizations across 37 countries of the world have signed a petition asking for the release of 15 Boğaziçi University students in Turkey who were detained in March for holding a protest against an ongoing Turkish military offensive in the Afrin region of Syria. The letter, penned
- [Teacher diagnosed with cancer after dismissal from job dies](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-diagnosed-cancer-dismissal-job-dies/) - Ayşe Çalışkan, a Sakarya teacher who was dismissed from her job in September 2016, died of stomach cancer on March 30. The mother of two was diagnosed with cancer nearly a month after she was purged as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown. She had a surgery in Istanbul in June 2017, and since then
- [Doctor cleared of ByLock accusation 13 months after he committed suicide](https://turkeypurge.org/doctor-cleared-bylock-accusation-13-months-committed-suicide/) - Turkish prosecutors have found that a doctor who committed suicide after being removed from his job over his alleged use of ByLock mobile app did not actually use the application, the Evrensel daily reported on Thursday. Shortly after he was fired from his job at the İzmir-based Katip Çelebi University Hospital in February 2017 as
- [Arrest warrant issued for exiled journalist Hayko Bagdat for insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/arrest-warrant-issued-exiled-journalist-hayko-bagdat-insulting-erdogan/) - Arrest warrant has been issued for exiled journalist Hayko Bagdat for insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Media reported March 30 that a Turkish court issued the warrant since Bagdat failed to show up for his trial over a column he wrote back in 2015. Bagdat, in his column, claimed that Erdogan targeted journalists with
- [Human Rights Foundation asks Kosovo PM to free 6 Gulenists](https://turkeypurge.org/human-rights-foundation-asks-kosovo-pm-free-6-gulenists/) - US-based Human Rights Foundation has asked, in an urgent letter, to free 6 Gulenists, arrested facing deportation to Turkey at the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s order. Kosovo police early arrested the Gülenists who used to work at a group of schools affiliated with the Gülen group, which is accused by Turkish President Recep Tayyip
- [[VIDEO] Erdoğan praises Turkey’s abduction of Gulenists in Kosovo, signals more to come](https://turkeypurge.org/video-erdogan-praises-turkeys-abduction-gulenist-kosovo-signals-come/) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday expressed satisfaction with an operation to abduct six Turkish nationals linked to the Gülen movement in Kosovo carried out by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization and vowed to bring all people affiliated with the movement to Turkey in similar operations. “Our National Intelligence Organization, in cooperation with Kosovo’s intelligence
- [Wife says husband still at Turkish embassy in Kosovo, calls for support](https://turkeypurge.org/wife-says-husband-still-turkish-embassy-kosovo-calls-people-support/) - The wife of Kahraman Demirez, one of the six Gulenists abducted by Turkish intelligence agency in Kosovo, has said the abductees are still kept at Turkish embassy, calling on people for support. “We are now sure that our husbands are being kept at Turkish embassy. We are waiting here. The number of police officers is
- [Local Amnesty office asks Kosovo to avoid extradition of Turkish teachers](https://turkeypurge.org/local-amnesty-office-asks-kosovo-avoid-extradition-turkish-teachers/) - Amnesty International’s (AI) local branch in UK’s Kirklees distict has called on Kosovar government to avoid extradition of Turkish teachers abducted on Thursday. “Turkey chair Taner Kilic’s unlawful arrest in Turkey has showed us the arbitrariness in Turkey’s judiciary. Extradition of Turkish teachers to Turkey without due process is a severe mistake and should be
- [Human Rights Watch: Arrest of Turkish nationals in Kosovo a callous disregard for Human Rights](https://turkeypurge.org/human-rights-watch-arrest-turkish-nationals-kosovo-callous-disregard-human-rights/) - US-based monitoring group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the arrest of Turkish nationals in Kosovo showed a callous disregard for human rights and rule of law. According to New York Times and Balkan Insight online newspaper on Friday, HRW said Kosovo showed disregard for human rights with such decision. “In addition to the questionable arrests,
- [Kosovo arrests five ‘Gülenists’ nationals at Turkey’s request: report](https://turkeypurge.org/kosovo-arrests-five-gulenists-nationals-turkeys-request-report/) - Kosovo police have arrested five Turkish nationals working at a group of schools affiliated with the Gülen group, which is accused by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of masterminding a failed coup attempt in 2016, The Associated Press and Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday. A source who has knowledge of the arrests
- [Mother of this baby put in pre-trial detention on coup charges in İstanbul — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-baby-put-pre-trial-detention-coup-charges-claim/) - Serap Öztürk, a Turkish woman and the mother of a 2-month-old baby (pictured above) has been arrested by a Turkish court over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to a twitter account named @magduriyetlert, Öztürk was detained on March 21 in İstanbul and sent
- [Ankara man missing for 111 days as wife finds his car abandoned with deflated tire](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-man-missing-111-days-wife-finds-car-abandoned-deflated-tire/) - Ümit Horzum, a former public servant who was removed from his job at Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) in a government’s post-coup emergency decree, has been missing for 111 days while his wife has found his car abandoned with a deflated tire in Ankara. “WITH MY OWN EFFORTS, I found my husband’s car with one of
- [120 including on-duty soldiers and gendarmerie personnel in custody on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/120-including-duty-soldiers-gendarmerie-personnel-custody-coup-charges-report/) - At least 120 people including on-duty soldiers and gendarmerie personnel have been detained by Turkish police over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, the pro-government Yeni Şafak reported. According to the report, the detentions took place in at least 10 provinces including Samsun, Gaziantep, Yalova, Istanbul and Ankara. Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July
- [568 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/568-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt-2/) - At least 568 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 568 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between March 19-26. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [[VIDEO] Businessman detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-businessman-detained-way-escape-greece/) - A Kayseri-based businessman, identified as I.C., was detained near the Turkey-Greece border in Edirne, reportedly on his way to escape the government’s post-coup crackdown. I.C. was rounded up in Edirne’s Kesan district, 100 meters away from the border, with a fake ID found on him, on March 22. An arrest warrant was issued for I.C.
- [Pro-gov’t journalist says jailed Gulenists should be forced to commit suicide](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-journalist-says-jailed-gulenists-forced-commit-suicide/) - Pro-government journalist and writer Fazıl Duygun has called on authorities to force people jailed over their links to the Gulen movement to commit suicide. “FETO supporters should be forced in an appropriate way to commit suicide. Because these vile people do not seem to behave sensibly unless they die,” he tweeted on March 26. Duygun’s
- [Hours after being released, man pictured sitting near graves of family members who died in traffic accident after visiting him in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/hours-released-man-pictured-sitting-near-graves-family-members-died-traffic-accident-visiting-prison/) - On March 2, 2018, four members of a Turkish family were killed in a car crash while driving back from an Erzurum prison where another member of the family is being held as a post-coup prisoner. Today, that prisoner was released for a day to pay a visit to the graves of his family members.
- [[VIDEO]Police detain 7 Bogaziçi students for participating in protest against Turkey’s Afrin operation](https://turkeypurge.org/videopolice-detain-7-bogazici-students-participating-protest-turkeys-afrin-operation/) - At least 7 student have been detained by police at İstanbul’s Boğaziçi University for participating in protests agains Turkey’s Afrin operation, the Dİken news portal reported. Detentions came only a day after Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Saturday that the government will “clean communist and terrorist students” out of Turkish universities. According to the report
- [16 members of Alevi association detained in Erzincan on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/16-members-alevi-association-detained-erzincan-terror-charges-report/) - At least 16 people affiliated with the Erzincan-based Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association (PSAKD), have been put in pre-trial detention for “providing support to a terrorist organization,” the Birgün daily reported. According to the report, among the arrestees are Erol Yeter, deputy chair of the PSAKD, and Akın Demir, local director of the PSKAD in Erzincan.
- [Under pretrial detention for 20 months, academic Sedat Laciner says ‘miss my home, children, wife, friends, students and books’](https://turkeypurge.org/pretrial-detention-20-months-professor-sedat-laciner-says-miss-home-children-wife-friends-students-books/) - Renowned Turkish academic and political scientist Prof. Dr. Sedat Laçiner, who was arrested in the wake of a military coup on July 15, 2016, has stated that “I respond to what is said about me, and I don’t run from either prosecution or debate. But the accusations must be a bit rational and fair. I got
- [Prosecutors seek 54 months for AKP co-founder for ‘insulting’ Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/prosecutors-seek-54-months-akp-co-founder-insulting-erdogan/) - An Ankara prosecutor is seeking a sentence of up to 54 months in prison for one of the co-founders of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Abdüllatif Şener, on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his Twitter messages. According to the Hürriyet daily, One of Erdoğan’s lawyers, Ahmet Özel, filed a complaint against
- [Turkish government now blocks use of VPN: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-government-now-blocks-use-vpn-report/) - The Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) has completely block access to virtual private networks, or VPNs, by March 16, 2018, the Diken news portal reported. Among the prohibited networds are Tor Project, VPN Master, Hotspot Shield VPN, Psiphon, Zenmate VPN, TunnelBear, Zero VPN, VyprVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, Espress VPN, IPVanish VPN. In a related development,
- [1,800 military members suspended over Gulen links despite remorse : minister](https://turkeypurge.org/1800-military-members-suspended-gulen-links-despite-remorse-minister/) - About 1,800 military members have been suspended even though they showed remorse over their alleged ties to the Gulen movement, according to the Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli. “Some 1,800 people who give their statements to prosecutors as ‘confessors’ have been suspended. If they really want to benefit from the remorse law, they should do what
- [Pro-Kurdish deputy Lezgin Botan gets 18 years in prison on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-deputy-lezgin-botan-gets-18-years-prison-terror-charges/) - A Van court on Friday sentenced pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Lezgin Botan to 18 years in prison over terrorism charges,” the Evrensel daily reported. According to a report by the report, the Van 2nd High Criminal Court sentenced the Kurdish deputy for “damaging the integrity of the state,” “disseminating the propaganda of a terrorist
- [Turkish singer Zuhal Olcay gets 10 months in prison for ‘insulting’ Erdogan: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-singer-zuhal-olcay-gets-10-months-prison-insulting-erdogan-report/) - Turkish singer and actress Zuhal Olcay has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for “insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” several media outlets reported. According to Hurriyet Daily News, Olcay was charged of insulting the president during a performance in 2016 by “revising lyrics to the song ‘Boş Vermişim Dünyayı’ (I Let Go of
- [ECtHR: Turkey violates liberty, security, freedom of expression of Şahin Alpay, Mehmet Altan](https://turkeypurge.org/ecthr-turkey-violates-liberty-security-freedom-expression-sahin-alpay-mehmet-altan/) - The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that Turkey has violated the liberty, security and freedom of expression of two journalists, Şahin Alpay and Mehmet Altan, who face terror charges. The ECtHR ruled on Tuesday that Turkey had acted illegally in keeping the two journalists in jail despite the country’s Constitutional Court’s issuing
- [UN calls on Turkey to end state of emergency, torture, ban on purged civil servants](https://turkeypurge.org/un-calls-turkey-end-state-emergency-torture-ban-purged-civil-servants/) - The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday called on the Turkish government to promptly end an ongoing state of emergency, torture and passport cancellation as well as a ban imposed on dismissed public servants from rejoining the civil service. In a 28-page report issued on Tuesday the OHCHR called on
- [537 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/537-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt/) - At least 537 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 537 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between March 12-19. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Police officer suspended in post-coup crackdown dies of heart attack](https://turkeypurge.org/police-officer-suspended-post-coup-crackdown-dies-heart-attack/) - Şahabettin Erdoğan, a 45-year-old former police officer who was suspended over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, has passed away following a heart attack, according to media. Erdoğan headed to Ortaca State Hospital in Mugla after he felt a strong pain in his chest at around 5.30 pm on Saturday. He collapsed at the
- [Journalist’s lawyer brother detained, beaten by plainclothes police](https://turkeypurge.org/journalists-lawyer-brother-detained-beaten-plainclothes-police/) - Turkish lawyer Burak Mengü was detained by a group of plainclothes police officers who battered him under custody, he revealed after being abandoned at a roadside in Istanbul’s Umraniye. “No one told me why and where I was being taken to,” Mengü tweeted Saturday. Meanwhile his sister, Nevsin Mengu said: “A group of people, claimed
- [Orange is the New Black’s Turkish adaptation faces censorship over terror propaganda](https://turkeypurge.org/orange-new-blacks-turkish-adaptation-faces-censorship-terror-propaganda/) - The US TV series Orange is the New Black’s Turkish version, Avlu [the Yard] faces censorship over some of its scenes considered making propaganda on behalf of terror organizations. Starring Turkish actress Demet Evgar as the lead character, the new TV series is set to make its debut on March 29. Cumhuriyet newspaper reported Monday
- [[VIDEO] Journalist Sahin Alpay: There are thousands of innocent people in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-sahin-alpay-says-thousands-innocents-left-prison/) - Veteran journalist Şahin Alpay, released pending trial on Friday after 20 months in jail, said he left thousands people who have nothing to do with terrorism in prison, saying that “Turkey will not be free if they are not free.” “I am extremely happy to have reunited with my family. But I cannot say that
- [Pro-Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk given 10-year prison sentence](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-politician-aysel-tugluk-given-10-year-prison-sentence/) - An Ankara court on Friday sentenced Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) former deputy co-chair Aysel Tuğluk to 10 years in prison in a case in which she was tried for allegedly “being the leader of a terror organization.” According to a report by the Hürriyet Daily News, Tuğluk said in her defense before the
- [AK Party branch head appointed as trustee for 7 seized companies in Gaziantep: report](https://turkeypurge.org/ak-party-branch-head-appointed-trustee-7-seized-companies-gaziantep-report/) - Mahmut Birlik, vice president of the Gaziantep branch of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), has been appointed as trustee for 7 companies that were transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) due to their owners’ alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by Turkish authorities of being behind a failed coup in
- [Mother of this child gets 7.5 years in prison for working at Gulen-affilated student dorm in Ankara](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-child-gets-7-5-years-prison-working-gulen-affilated-student-dorm-ankara/) - Suna Uslu, 29-year old Turkish woman and the mother of 1.5-year-old Asım Uslu (pictured above) has been sentenced to 7,5 years in prison for working at a now-closed student dormitory affiliated with the Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to an e mail sent to Turkeypurge.com editors by
- [Switzerland investigating allegations Turkey tried to kidnap businessman in Zurich](https://turkeypurge.org/swiss-prosecutors-investigating-allegations-turkey-tried-kidnap-businessman-zurich/) - Federal prosecutors in Switzerland are investigating whether Turkish diplomats and intelligence officers planned to drug and kidnap a Swiss-Turkish businessman shortly after the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, local media said. A group of five including the diplomats from the Turkish embassy in Bern, intelligence officers and others met several times at a cemetery and
- [[VIDEO] 14 detained over Bylock use in Turkey’s Konya](https://turkeypurge.org/video-14-detained-bylock-use-turkeys-konya/) - At least 14 people were detained over their alleged use of ByLock mobile application in Turkey’s central Anatolian province of Konya on Thursday. A Turkish prosecutor issued detention warrants for a total of 17 people in Konya on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. 15
- [Businessman takes refuge at Austrian police after Turkish consulate tried to seize passport](https://turkeypurge.org/businessman-takes-refuge-austrian-police-turkish-consulate-tried-seize-passport/) - A 37-year-old businessman, named Yavuz Bulbul took refuge at Austrian police after officers at the Turkish consulate general in Vienna attempted to seize his passport over links to the Gulen movement. According to Turkish and Austrian sources, Bulbul, on Tuesday, stopped by the consulate to extend his passport, to be expired soon. However, the consulate
- [Purged computer teacher commits suicide days after his release from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/purged-computer-teacher-commits-suicide-days-release-prison/) - Mehmet Kosar, a father of two and a 38-year-old computer teacher in Mugla’s Fethiye who was dismissed from his job over links to the Gulen movement, has killed himself days after he was released from prison pending trial over connections to Gulenists. Local media said that Kosar hanged himself to an iron bar attached to
- [3 charged with spying on Erdoğan critics in Denmark](https://turkeypurge.org/3-charged-spying-erdogan-critics-denmark/) - Three people are facing trial on charges of spying on critics of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Evrensel daily reported on Monday based on an article that appeared in the Danish Berlingske newspaper. Last year Mehmet Dönmez, the Turkish ambassador in Copenhagen, was summoned by Denmark’s Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen for clarification of claims
- [Opposition leader slams prosecutor office statement on Açıkkollu’s death](https://turkeypurge.org/opposition-leader-slams-prosecutor-office-statement-acikkollus-death/) - Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Tuesday hit back at a statement issued by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning the 2016 death of teacher Gökhan Açıkkollu, asking why allegations of torture had not been investigated, Cumhuriyet reported. Following a statement made on March 6 by Kılıçdaroğlu concerning the death
- [Turkish prosecutor seeks life sentence for  US pastor over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-prosecutor-seeks-life-sentence-us-pastor-coup-charges/) - A Turkish prosecutor on Tuesday demanded life imprisonment for American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been jailed in Turkey since October 2016, over alleged links to a failed coup attempt in July 2016, the Doğan news agency reported. Brunson, who was jailed due to suspected ties to the Gülen group, was charged with acquiring secret
- [740 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/740-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt-2/) - At least 740 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 765 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between March 5-12. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Millionaire businessman tells wife gov’t could seize properties, divorces her without alimony to marry lover: report](https://turkeypurge.org/millionaire-businessman-threatens-wife-govt-seizure-divorces-without-alimony-marry-lover-report/) - Turkish businessman Hayri Uğur has convinced his wife, Hepşen Uğur to divorce him on the grounds that their properties would be seized in case he gets arrested over ties to the Gulen movement, according to Hurriyet newspaper. Uğur, a 57-year-old businessman who also chairs the Mersin-based Mediterranean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association, started warning
- [Pregnant teacher, husband reportedly under police custody for 7 days](https://turkeypurge.org/pregnant-teacher-husband-reportedly-police-custody-7-days/) - A Sinop teacher, pregnant to her second child, as well as her husband have been under police custody for the past 7 days, according to a social media account. @Magduriyet_TR1 , a Twitter account claimed to have knowledge on the matter, said Monday that the teacher, identified as Ayse K. were detained with her husband 7
- [RSF calls Turkish journalists’ convictions ‘an act of political despotism’](https://turkeypurge.org/rsf-calls-turkish-journalists-convictions-act-political-despotism/) - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday condemned the sentences ranging from two to seven years in prison that 25 Turkish journalists received on March 8 in a political mass trial in Istanbul targeting opposition journalists. The sentences were issued after the 25 journalists were convicted of supporting or being members of a movement led by
- [Outspoken lawyer barred from taking up Gulen-linked cases](https://turkeypurge.org/outspoken-lawyer-banned-taking-gulen-linked-cases/) - Outspoken lawyer Kemal Ucar has been restrained from taking up defending people suspected of ties to the Gulen movement. On Thursday, the Istanbul-based lawyer, known for his critical statements concerning July 15, 2016 coup attempt cases, was detained due to what his colleagues say “occupational activities.” Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office banned Ucar from taking up
- [65 personnel from naval forces get life sentences in coup trial: report](https://turkeypurge.org/65-personnel-naval-forces-get-life-sentences-coup-trial-report/) - A high criminal court in Ankara has handed down aggravated life sentences to 47 defendants and life sentences to 18 defendants from the Naval Forces Command in a trial concerning a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016. The trial of the 73 defendants involving incidents that took place at the Naval Forces Command
- [Turkey now seeks up to 15 years in prison for wife of Turkish teacher tortured to death in police custody](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-now-seeks-15-years-prison-wife-turkish-teacher-tortured-death-police-custody/) - An indictment prepared by an İstanbul prosecutor seeks a prison sentence of from 7.5 to 15 years for Minure Açıkkollu, wife of Gökhan Açıkkollu, a teacher who was tortured to death while in police custody in the wake of a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016 over alleged membership in the Gülen group. According to
- [Cellmate of deceased teacher: They kneed him in the back. He held his chest until the day he died due to severe pain](https://turkeypurge.org/cellmate-deceased-teacher-kneed-back-held-chest-day-died-due-severe-pain/) - An expert in forensic medicine who shared a cell with Gökhan Açıkkollu, a teacher who was tortured to death while under detention in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, has said the teacher was hurt more by the insults than the physical violence he was subjected to. Dr. Gürol
- [43 out of 80 ‘Gülenist’ women sent to prison for charity sale in benefit of purge-victims in Mersin](https://turkeypurge.org/43-80-gulenist-women-sent-prison-charity-sale-benefit-purge-victims-mersin/) - 43 out of 80 women, including high school and university students who were allegedly subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of a group of police officers at Mersin police station last week, were put in pre-trial detention on Tuesday by a Mersin court, the TR724 news portal reported. According to the
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/es-9/)
- [765 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/765-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt/) - At least 765 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 765 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Feb 26 to March 5. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the
- [Adana police seize books by Gulen, Nursi as criminal evidence](https://turkeypurge.org/adana-police-seize-books-gulen-nursi-criminal-evidence/) - A number Islamic books by Kurdish scholar Said Nursi and his late Turkish follower Fethullah Gulen have been seized as part of an investigation into the latter’s Hizmet movement. Media reported March 3 that Adana police carried out an operation against 21 people wanted for their ties to the Hizmet, also known as Gulen movement.
- [Culture ministry seizes administration of musical workers’ union](https://turkeypurge.org/culture-ministry-seizes-administration-musical-workers-union/) - The Culture Ministry has appointed a trustee panel to Turkey Musical Work Owners’ Association (MESAM), ousting the existing management ahead of the union’s general assembly. Established to protect performing rights of music producers in 1986, MESAM has, since then, signed up over 9,000 members including authors, composers, arrangers and publishers. The ministry dismissed the current board
- [Leftist rights activist visits grave of teacher tortured to death after coup](https://turkeypurge.org/leftist-rights-activist-visits-grave-teacher-tortured-death-coup/) - Veli Saçılık, a sociologist and leftist human rights activist, has visited the grave of Gökhan Açıkkollu, a teacher who was tortured to death while in police custody in the wake of a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016 over alleged membership in the Gülen group. Saçılık, who lost his right arm in a
- [‘I Will Never See the World Again,’ writes imprisoned Ahmet Altan for the New York Times](https://turkeypurge.org/will-never-see-world-writes-imprisoned-ahmet-altan-new-york-times/) - A Turkish court on Feb. 16 handed down aggravated life sentences to three prominent journalists and three other defendants on charges of attempting to destroy the constitutional order even after Turkey’s highest court had ruled for the release of one of them. Ahmet Altan, a prominent Turkish novelist and editor-in-chief of the now-closed Taraf newspaper,
- [4 died, 1 injured in traffic accident following visit to family member in prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/4-died-1-injured-traffic-accident-following-family-visit-imprisoned-man-report/) - Four members of a Turkish family were killed in a car crash while driving back from an Erzurum prison where another member of the family is being held as a post-coup prisoner, Aktif Haber online news portal said Thursday. Four members of the Aydin family died while a woman from the same family, identified as
- [Dismissed, jailed, tortured to death, exonerated: The tragic story of Turkish teacher who died in police custody](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-jailed-tortured-death-exonerated-tragic-story-teacher-died-police-custody/) - Gökhan Açıkkollu was a history teacher in İstanbul. What makes him memorable is that he is one of the hunreds of thousands of people who have been victimized by an ongoing purge carried out by the Turkish government since a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Açıkkollu was detained on July 24, 2016 on coup and
- [Turkish gov’t bans access to critical Ahval news website: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-bans-access-critical-ahval-news-website-report/) - The Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) on Wednesday imposed an access ban on the critical news website ahvalnews.com. The BTK barred access to Ahval citing Law No. 5651, approved by the Turkish Parliament in February 2014 to regulate Internet broadcasting. Ahval, which was established by veteran Turkish journalist Yavuz Baydar in November 2017, is known for
- [Sentenced to life on coup charges, Turkish author now gets 6 more years in prison on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/sentenced-life-coup-charges-turkish-author-now-gets-6-years-prison-terror-charges/) - An İstanbul court on Wednesday sentenced prominent Turkish novelist and editor-in-chief of the now-closed Taraf newspaper Ahmet Altan to an additional five years, 11 months in prison on terror-related charges. The ruling came one week after Altan was sentenced by another court to aggravated life imprisonment without the possibility of parole on Feb. 16, 2018 over
- [Turkey bans broadcasting of 208 songs due to ‘objectionable lyrics’](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-bans-broadcasting-208-songs-due-objectionable-lyrics/) - The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) has banned the broadcasting of a total of 208 songs, 142 Turkish and 66 Kurdish, on its 14 TV stations for reasons that were not made clear to the public. According to the Hürriyet daily, Some of these songs are performed by famous Turkish singers such as
- [Hatay man arrested for ‘insulting’ President Erdoğan in harassing messages to ex-girlfriend: report](https://turkeypurge.org/hatay-man-arrested-insulting-president-erdogan-harassing-messages-ex-girlfriend-report/) - A Hatay man who was detained and later released pending trial on charges of harassing his ex-girlfriend, has reportedly been re-arrested after police detected statements insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his unwanted messages and phone calls to his victim. According to BBC Turkish, the man, Erdoğan Küpeli, was taken into custody by police a
- [[VIDEO] 17 teachers, kindergarten executives detained in Turkey’s Bursa](https://turkeypurge.org/video-17-teachers-kindergarten-executives-detained-turkeys-bursa/) - A total of 17 people were taken into police custody as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement in Turkey’s Bursa province on Tuesday. Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office issued warrants for 17 suspects who used to work at now-defunct schools and a kindergarten as teachers and executives, media said Tuesday. The detainees are accused
- [Pro-gov’t TV anchor: If Turkish military were to kill civilians, it’d start with traitors in Istanbul, opposition](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-tv-anchor-turkish-military-kill-civilians-itd-start-traitors-istanbul-opposition/) - Ahmet Keser, a presenter for the pro-government Akit TV station, on Tuesday reacted to news stories that Turkey is killing civilians in the Afrin region of Syria, saying if they were to kill civilians they would start with people critical of the government living in the Cihangir, Nişantaşı and Etiler neighborhoods of Istanbul and even
- [History teacher, died of torture in police custody, reinstated to job 19 months after his death](https://turkeypurge.org/history-teacher-died-torture-police-custody-reinstated-job-19-months-death/) - Gökhan Açıkkollu, a history teacher who was tortured to death while in police custody in the wake of a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016 over alleged membership in the Gülen group, was found innocent one-and-a-half years later and “reinstated” to his job. The reinstatement decision, numbered E.2561776, was made by the Education
- [Two pro-Kurdish MPs stripped of parliamentary status for insulting Erdogan, social media posts](https://turkeypurge.org/two-pro-kurdish-mps-stripped-parliamentary-status-insulting-erdogan-social-media-posts/) - The Turkish Parliament stripped pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies Ahmet Yıldırım and İbrahim Ayhan of their parliamentary status on Tuesday. The move came after their convictions were upheld by appeal courts. Yıldırım was earlier sentenced to 14 months in jail for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a speech in which he referred to
- [UN Rapporteur says Turkish detainees reportedly tortured with severe beatings, electrical shocks, icy water, sexual assault](https://turkeypurge.org/un-rapporteur-says-turkish-detainees-reportedly-tortured-severe-beatings-electrical-shocks-icy-water-sexual-assault/) - The UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer said in a written statement on Feb 27 that he was alarmed by allegations that large numbers of individuals were exposed to brutal interrogation techniques in Turkish custodies. The allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in Turkish police custody have been rising since the end of his official
- [Profesor de historia, murió por tortura bajo custodia policial, fue reincorporado a su trabajo 19 meses después de su muerte](https://turkeypurge.org/history-teacher-died-torture-police-custody-reinstated-job-19-months-death-2/) - Gökhan Açıkkollu, un profesor de historia que fue torturado hasta la muerte bajo custodia policial tras un intento de golpe de estado en Turquía el 15 de julio de 2016 por su presunta pertenencia al grupo Gülen, fue declarado inocente uno año y medio después, y por ende fue “reincorporado” a su trabajo. La decisión
- [[VIDEO] Former TRT producer detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-former-trt-producer-detained-way-escape-greece/) - A former producer at the state-run broadcaster TRT, identified as E.D., was detained at a Bodrum hotel where he was allegedly making plans to sneak into a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Media reported Feb 23 that police raided a hotel in Mugla’s Bodrum district upon a complaint that E.D. was staying before his would-be
- [Teacher with 25 years of experience working as hotel receptionist after dismissal](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-25-years-experience-working-hotel-receptionist-dismissal/) - Ismet Sözen, an elementary school teacher until he was dismissed by a government decree issued under post-coup emergency rule in 2016, is now earning his keep by working as a night-shift receptionist at a hotel in Bursa province. According to Cumhuriyet newspaper, Sözen was dismissed by the government decree, like some 40,000 other teachers. With
- [5-months pregnant woman detained as police fail to locate husband: report](https://turkeypurge.org/5-months-pregnant-woman-detained-police-fail-locate-husband-report/) - A Samsun woman, identified as B.D. was detained after police failed to locate her husband as part an investigation in to the Gulen movement, media reported Saturday. According to Grihat online news portal, B.D., already a mother of three, was detained after a police raid at her home. Police had initially come for B.D.’s husband,
- [Air force colonel dies of brain hemorrhage in prison: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/air-force-colonel-dies-brain-hemorrhage-prison-lawyer/) - Jailed air force colonel Adnan Çetin suffered a cerebral bleeding in Istanbul’s Silivri prison and was taken to hospital where he was later declared dead, according to his lawyer Kemal Ucar. In a series of tweets on Feb 16, Ucar wrote that his client, under arrest over coup charges, suffered brain hemorrhage and was subsequently
- [[VIDEO] 18 detained as military students, families teargassed during Ankara march](https://turkeypurge.org/video-18-detained-military-students-families-teargassed-ankara-march/) - At least 18 people were detained on Saturday after police intervened into a group of military academy students and their families during a scheduled march in Turkey’s capital. Dozens of students who were removed from military academies after the government shuttered them in its post-coup crackdown marched along with their family members to the Anitkabir,
- [80 ‘Gülenist’ women subject to inhumane treatment at Mersin Police station — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/80-gulenist-women-subject-inhumane-treatment-mersin-police-station-claim/) - At least 80 women, including high school and university students, were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of a group of police officers at Mersin police station, according to several twitter accounts and media outlets. The women were belived to be affiliated with the Gülen group, which is accused by
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/es-7/)
- [Netherlands accepts 73 percent of asylum applications from Turkish citizens: report](https://turkeypurge.org/netherlands-accepts-73-percent-asylum-applications-turkish-citizens-report/) - The Netherlands has approved of 73 percent of asylum applications filed by Turkish citizens in the country in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS. NOS based its story on data from the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security and said that there are
- [[VIDEO] Journalist Ener: I was released but there are newborn babies in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/video-journalist-ener-released-newborn-babies-prison/) - Journalist Naciye Nur Ener Kılınç, who was released from jail on Tuesday and put under house arrest, said there are six children in the prison cell to which she was confined for 357 days. “I am free, but there is a 30-day-old infant behind those doors. There are six children in my prison cell. I
- [Rights defender Gergerlioğlu gets 2.5 year prison sentence on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/rights-defender-gergerlioglu-gets-2-5-year-prison-sentence-terror-charges/) - Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, one of Turkey’s most renowned human rights activists and former president of the Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed Peoples (Mazlumder), has been handed down a prison sentence of two-and-a-half years on charges of disseminating terrorist propaganda. The verdict was decided by the Kocaeli 2nd High Criminal Court on Wednesday
- [Two Gülen followers abducted in Azerbaijan: report](https://turkeypurge.org/two-gulen-followers-abducted-azerbaijan-report/) - Two Turkish nationals were abducted by a group of unidentified people immediately after they were released from police custody in Azerbaijan, according to media. Yeni Hamle online news portal reported Feb 19 that Ayhan Seferoğlu and Erdoğan Taylan have been rounded up by a group of people after the court overseeing their case released them from
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/es-8/)
- [Turkey cooperates with smugglers to catch Gulenists seeking asylum abroad: teacher](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-cooperates-smugglers-catch-gulenists-seeking-asylum-abroad-teacher/) - A Turkish teacher seeking asylum in Greece claimed that Turkey has been cooperating with smugglers to hunt those fleeing the country. The teacher, identified as Hakan, told International Business Times UK (IBTimes UK) he is familiar with a Turkish military officer who offers money to round up Gulenists escaping Turkey to Greece. “They crossed the
- [Turkey seeks 27-year jail term for 2 university students over ‘pro-Kurdish anthem’](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-27-year-jail-term-2-university-students-pro-kurdish-anthem/) - Turkish prosecutors seek a prison sentence of from 8 to 27,5 years for two university students on the grounds that they chanted pro-Kurdish slogans and sang a pro-Kurdish guerilla anthem during a demonstration in Diyarbakır province, the Gazete Karınca reported. The indictment, prepared by the Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office, accused the students of disseminating propaganda on
- [Afghan national detained over Gülen links in Izmir](https://turkeypurge.org/afghan-national-detained-gulen-links-izmir/) - Izmir police detained an Afghan national, identified as A.F.O., in Bornova district as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement. State-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday that A.F.O. was rounded up on accusation that he helped Afghan students who study at Turkish universities get in touch with dormitories and residences affiliated with the movement.
- [Owner of Hosta fast-food chain sentenced to 10 years in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/owner-hosta-fast-food-chain-sentenced-10-years-jail/) - An Ankara court sentenced Hosta Piknik doner chain’s owner Verdal Hosta to 10 years in prison on charges of membership to the Gulen movement. Under pretrial arrest since January 2017, Hosta was given 10 years of jail time, state-run Anadolu news agency reported Feb 13. Hosta Piknik was established in 1991 in Ankara and has
- [786 people detained for opposing Turkey’s Afrin operation in past month: data](https://turkeypurge.org/786-people-opposing-turkeys-afrin-operation-past-month-data/) - A total of 786 people in total have been detained for their critical stance against Turkey’s Afrin operation so far, according to official data. The Interior Ministry said in a statement on Feb 19 that a total of 85 demonstrations have been held in protest of the Afrin offensive since the beginning of the operation. A total
- [567 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/567-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt/) - At least 567 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 567 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Feb 12 to 19. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July
- [Economics professor from gov’t-closed Meliksah University jailed](https://turkeypurge.org/economics-professor-govt-closed-melihsah-university-jailed/) - A former assistant professor from now-defunct Meliksah University, identified as H.A., was put in pretrial detention over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement. State-run Anadolu news agency reported Feb 12 that H.A., briefly detained and released pending trial in the same investigation earlier, was arrested after cyber police found out that he used ByLock
- [Teacher couple jailed as newborn twins under grandmother’s care: report](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-couple-jailed-newborn-twins-grandmothers-care-report/) - An Izmir couple, both teachers, were put in pretrial detention over their links to the Gulen movement as grand family members are now parenting their newborn twins and 7-year-old daughter, according to media. The physics teacher, identified as O.K. was detained along with his wife S.K., a primary school teacher, as part of an investigation
- [Leading Turkish chocolatier faces arrest warrant over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/leading-turkish-chocolatier-faces-arrest-warrant-terror-charges/) - An arrest warrant was issued for Hidayet Kadiroglu, the owner of the leading chocolate and candy producer, Elvan Gıda, on Feb 12. At least seven senior executives of an Istanbul-based exporters’ union were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement earlier this week. Media said Saturday that Kadiroglu is wanted as part of the
- [17-year-old disabled boy shot dead by mother as father under arrest in post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/17-year-old-disabled-boy-shot-dead-mother-father-arrest-post-coup-crackdown/) - Eyüp Öztürk, a 17-year-old boy with 99-percent disability was shot dead by his mother S.B., media said Friday. Denizli mother killed herself after shooting her son in the head who had cerebral palsy –permanent movement disorder caused by damaged brain parts. Eyup’s father, I.O., who got divorced from S.B. a year ago, was earlier discharged from his
- [8,480 Turkish nationals sought asylum in Germany in 2017: report](https://turkeypurge.org/8480-turkish-nationals-sought-asylum-germany-2017-report/) - The number of Turkish citizens who sought asylum in Germany in 2017 totals 8,480, according to Deutsche Welle. According to data from the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), 8,480 Turkish nationals claimed asylum in Germany in 2017, the German media outlet said Friday. Deutsche Welle also said the number of Turkish asylum seekers
- [Turkey blocks access to Furkan news portal on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-blocks-access-furkan-news-portal-terror-charges/) - Access to all social media accounts and websites belonging to the faith-based Furkan foundation has been blocked in Turkey by the government, the furkanhaber.net reported on Saturday. The ruling came several days after a Turkish court in Adana province appointed trustees to the management of the foundation, and arrested at least 21 people including Alparslan Kuytul, president of the
- [Teacher, 2 children dead, 4 others missing in attempt to escape Turkey’s post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-2-children-dead-while-4-others-missing-after-failed-attempt-to-escape-turkeys-post-coup-crackdown-to-greece/) - At least three people died and four others were missing after a boat carrying a group of eight capsized on Tuesday in the Maritsa River while seeking to escape a post-coup crackdown in Turkey. According to Turkish media reports, the dead were identified as Ayşe Abdurrezzak, a 37-year-old teacher who was earlier dismissed from her
- [Turkey detained 666 people so far for opposing Afrin operation: data](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detained-666-people-far-opposing-afrin-operation-data/) - A total of 666 people in total have been detained for their critical stance against Turkey’s Afrin operations so far, according to official data. The Interior Ministry said in a statement on Feb 12 that 474 people were detained for “terror propaganda in their social media postings on Afrin operation” while the remaining 192 were caught up
- [UK-educated computer science professor, jailed for 13 months, dies of liver cancer](https://turkeypurge.org/uk-educated-computer-science-professor-jailed-13-months-dies-liver-cancer/) - Ahmet Turan Özcerit, a UK-educated computer science professor who spent as long as 13 months under arrest as part of the government’s post-coup witch hunt, has passed away of liver cancer. The academic’s son Sinan Özcerit said Monday that his father died at hospital. Turan Özcerit obtained his master and PhD diplomas from the UK’s
- [Turkish court sentences wife of alleged coup plotter to 18 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-sentences-wife-alleged-coup-plotter-18-years-prison/) - Nazire Terzi, the widow of Brig. Gen. Semih Terzi, who was killed by noncommissioned officer Ömer Halisdemir during a coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for “aiding the crime of violation of the constitution,” the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Monday. According to the report,
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/es-5/)
- [Tribunal Turco sentencia a 18 anos de prision a esposa de supuesto golpista](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-sentences-wife-alleged-coup-plotter-18-years-prison-2/) - Nazire Terzi, la viuda del general de brigada Semih Terzi, que fue asesinado por el suboficial Ömer Halisdemir durante un intento de golpe en Turquía el 15 de julio de 2016, fue sentenciada a 18 años de prisión por “contribuir al delito de violación de la constitución”, informó el lunes la agencia de noticias estatal
- [38,500 prisoners convicted over Gülen links: minister](https://turkeypurge.org/38500-prisoners-convicted-gulen-links-minister/) - The number of prisoners who have been convicted over links to the Gulen movement totals 38,470, according to Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül. Speaking to an Antalya gathering on Saturday, Gül said the total number of people in prison who were convicted of Gulen ties has reached 38,470 as of Feb 10. The corresponding figure for
- [[VIDEO] Pro-Erdogan presenter says Cumhuriyet journalists deserve to be executed for their Afrin coverage](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-erdogan-presenter-says-cumhuriyet-journalists-deserve-murdered-afrin-coverage/) - Yusuf Ozan, a presenter for the pro-government Akit TV, on Sunday targeted the Cumhuriyet daily over a story it ran on the Afrin operation in Syria, saying Cumhuriyet journalists deserve to be executed. Commenting on a Cumhuriyet report about 11 Turkish soldiers killed on Saturday in the Afrin region of northwestern Syria, Ozan said: “You
- [Another ‘Gülenist’ dies of heart attack in prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/another-gulenist-dies-heart-attack-prison-report/) - Vahyettin Yahya Bayat, a 65-year-old Turkish businessman under arrest as part of an investigation into the Gulen group, passed away after a heart attack on Friday morning, the TR724 news portal reported. Bayat lost his life in his cell in Diyarbakır Prison following a heart attack. It was reported that Bayat has been suffering severe
- [[VIDEO] Academics, doctors detained while watching Gülen speech](https://turkeypurge.org/video-academics-doctors-detained-watching-gulen-speech/) - Turkish police on Friday detained seven people, including two academics and three doctors, for watching a video of a speech by Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen on their mobile phones in a car in Adıyaman province, Hurriyet reported. The Gülen group is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15,
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/es-6/)
- [Turkey to confiscate billion-dollar holding over coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-confiscate-billion-dollar-holding-coup-charges-report/) - The Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has demanded confiscation of Boydak Holding and its related companies for giving financial support to the Gülen group, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday. According to the report, the prosecutor based his demand on a Financial Crimes Investigation Board [MASAK] report that the holding maintains parallel accounting
- [European Parliament urges Turkey to end post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/european-parliament-urges-turkey-end-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - Members of the European Parliament have called on Turkey to lift an ongoing state of emergency declared after a failed coup in July 2016 that they say is now being used to silence dissent and opposition. “The state of emergency declared after the coup attempt of 16 July 2016 is currently being used to further
- [University student jailed for insulting Erdogan two years ago](https://turkeypurge.org/university-student-jailed-insulting-erdogan-two-years-ago/) - A university student from the Turkey’s Amasya province, identified as H.N., was put in pretrial detention for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on social media, on Wednesday. Cumhuriyet reported that H.N., an Amasya University student and a member of Turkish Communist Party (TKP), was arrested over her allegedly insulting social media postings from 2014 and
- [[VIDEO] Former law faculty dean detained over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/video-former-law-faculty-dean-detained-gulen-links/) - Law professor Murat Sen has been detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement in Kayseri, state-run Anadolu news agency said Thursday. The dean of the Meliksah University’s law faculty until it was closed by the government over Gulen links in 2016, Sen was rounded up at his father-in-law’s home in Zonguldak and
- [Wives of 13 dismissed police officers under custody](https://turkeypurge.org/wives-13-dismissed-police-officers-custody/) - Wives of 13 former police officers who were earlier dismissed from their jobs over alleged ties to the Gulen movement were detained Thursday. State-run Anadolu news agency said police carried out operations in 9 provinces and detained 13 women as part of an investigation into the movement’s women’s network. The suspects are accused of having
- [US ‘deeply concerned’ by conviction of NASA scientist Serkan Golge](https://turkeypurge.org/us-deeply-concerned-conviction-nasa-scientist-serkan-golge/) - US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said at a press briefing on Thursday that the United States is deeply concerned about the conviction earlier in the day of Serkan Gölge on charges of membership in a terrorist organization. Gölge, a dual US-Turkish citizen and a senior NASA researcher, has been held for 18 months in
- [Report shows number of rights violations increased during OHAL in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/report-shows-number-rights-violations-increased-ohal-turkey/) - A report drafted by the Diyarbakır Bar Association has revealed that there has been a significant increase in the number of rights violations in Turkey’s prisons during emergency rule, which was declared in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in July 2016 and is still in effect. The report, which was prepared by the
- [Informe muestra un incremento en el numero de violaciones de derechos durante OHAL en Turquia](https://turkeypurge.org/report-shows-number-rights-violations-increased-ohal-turkey-2/) - Un informe redactado por la Asociación Diyarbakır reveló que ha habido un aumento significativo en el número de violaciones de derechos en las cárceles turcas durante el estado de emergencia, que se declaró después de un intento fallido de golpe en julio de 2016 y que sigue vigente. El informe, que fue preparado por la
- [4 including critical Muslim preacher put in pre-trial detention on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/4-including-critical-muslim-preacher-put-pre-trial-detention-terror-charges/) - Alparslan Kuytul, president of the Furkan Foundation and leader of a religious group critical of the Turkish government, has been put in pre-trial detention by an Adana court, the Turkish media reported on Friday. Kuytul and 25 members of the foundation were detained at the end of January by counterterrorism police on suspicion of disrupting
- [Turkey strips another pro-Kurdish deputy’s parliamentary status, brings total to 7](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-strips-another-pro-kurdish-deputys-parliamentary-status-brings-total-7/) - The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) stripped pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) Şırnak deputy Ferhat Encü of his parliamentary status on Tuesday. TMMB’s decision came in the wake of Encü’s prison sentence was upheld by an appeal court. Encu has been recently convicted of making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization and sentenced
- [Dismissed police officer dies of heart attack in German refugee camp: report](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-police-officer-dies-heart-attack-german-refugee-camp-report/) - Ali Ünlü, a 42-year-old former police officer who was earlier dismissed from his job as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown, died of heart attack in a refugee camp in Stuttgart, according to media and people with knowledge of the incident. Ünlü, one of over 150,000 people who have lost their jobs over alleged ties
- [EP rapporteur: Thousands became victims of massive crackdown on all opposition voices](https://turkeypurge.org/ep-rapporteur-thousands-became-victims-massive-crackdown-opposition-voices/) - Kati Piri, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Turkey, said on Tuesday during a speech in the European Parliament plenary that thousands of people have become victims of a “massive crackdown on all opposition voices” in Turkey, calling on the European Union to be “loud and clear” on the human rights situation in the country. “We, in the
- [64 military academy students, officers sentenced to life in prison over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/64-military-academy-students-officers-sentenced-life-prison-coup-charges/) - An Ankara court has ruled for the acquittal of 100 suspects while handing down life sentences to 60 others and aggravated life sentences to four suspects in a trial concerning incidents that took place at the Turkish military academy in Ankara on the night of a failed coup attempt in July 2016. The trial, which
- [Chemistry teacher gets 10-year jail time over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/chemistry-teacher-gets-10-year-jail-time-gulen-links/) - An Antalya court sentenced a chemistry teacher, identified as A.S., to 10 years in jail on charges of membership to the Gulen movement. State-run Anadolu news agency said Wednesday that A.S., under pretrial arrest for 22 months, appeared before the court for her final hearing. Accused of leading the movement’s women’s network in Antalya, A.S. refused allegations
- [Erzurum tea house temporarily closed over Kurdish-language song](https://turkeypurge.org/erzurum-tea-house-temporarily-closed-kurdish-language-song/) - A tea house in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum was banned due to Kurdish-language songs played in the café, according to media. Mezopotamya news agency reported Tuesday that a tea house in Erzurum’s Karaçoban district was raided by police and military officers and later shuttered for 10 days effective immediately. The reason for the closure
- [Enes Kanter faces 4 years in jail for ‘insulting’ Turkish basketball federation head](https://turkeypurge.org/enes-kanter-faces-4-years-jail-insulting-turkish-basketball-federation-head/) - An indictment filed by the Istanbul police’s cyber-crimes department seeks up to 4 years in prison for the New York Knicks center Enes Kanter for alleged insulting Hidayet Turkoglu. Pro-government Sabah newspaper said Wednesday that the indictment accuses Kanter of insulting Turkoglu several times via social media. The NBAer faces between 1 to 4 years
- [Journalist Cem Bahtiyar jailed pending trial over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-cem-bahtiyar-jailed-pending-trial-terror-charges/) - Journalist Mete Cem Bahtiyar was arrested pending trial over terror charges, according to Ozguruz online news portal. Detained following a police raid at his home in Balikesir’s Bandirma district, Bahtiyar was put in pretrial detention on Jan 31, Ozguruz said Wednesday. Police seized his computer, cellphone, and books including one by Noam Chomsky. Bahtiyar is
- [Books, magazines by anti-gov’t Furkan foundation seized as criminal evidence](https://turkeypurge.org/books-magazines-anti-govt-furkan-foundation-seized-criminal-evidence/) - Adana police seized copies of several magazines and books published by the faith-based, government-critic Furkan foundation. Police stopped a suspected car in Seyhan district to find several books, magazines and electronic devices allegedly belonging to Furkan foundation, which was closed by the government last week. While the driver, identified as Cemal K., was detained, police
- [Turkish activist detained in southeast Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-activist-detained-southeast-turkey-report/) - Ayşe Gökkan, a Turkish activist and a member of Free Women Movement (TJA), has been detained by Turkish police in the Nusaybin district of Mardin province, the sendika.org news portal reported on Monday. According to the report, Gökkan was taken into custody in Nusaybin’s Abdulkadir Paşa neighbourhood due to an outstanding detention warrant and was taken
- [Turkish LGBT activist goes on hunger strike in support of transgender woman jailed in Tekirdağ](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-lgbt-activist-goes-hunger-strike-support-transgender-woman-jailed-tekirdag/) - Kıvılcım Arat, a Turkish LGBT activist, is entering the third day of a hunger strike to expose human rights violations committed against Diren Coşkun, a transgender woman who has been held in pre-trial detention in Tekirdağ prison. According to the T24 news portal, Coşkun launched a hunger strike after she was denied surgery by the
- [Turkey detains 46 more military personnel over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-46-military-personnel-coup-charges/) - Forty-six more military members have been detained in the last 24 hours over alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, as part of investigations launched by the Kastamonu, Adıyaman and Merzifon chief public prosecutor’s offices, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The Gülen movement is accused by the Turkish government of mounting a coup attempt
- [Post-coup victims now ‘accused of’ getting pregnant to avoid arrest](https://turkeypurge.org/post-coup-victims-now-accused-getting-pregnant-avoid-arrest/) - Women wanted for their alleged ties to the Gulen movement are now accused of getting pregnant to ditch arrest, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. A 25-page indictment prepared by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of an investigation into the movement’s alleged network of lawyers claimed that women suspected of Gulen ties across
- [Yet another 3 detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-3-detained-way-escape-greece/) - Three people were detained in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were on their way to escape to the Greece on Feb 2, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Monday. Anadolu said gendarmerie stopped a bus near the Üyüklütatar village in Edirne and rounded up the suspects who were facing outstanding arrest warrants over
- [Video purportedly shows Turkish soldiers beat Kurdish villager in Afrin](https://turkeypurge.org/video-purportedly-shows-turkish-soldiers-beat-kurdish-villager-afrin/) - A graphic video that has recently emerged on social media purportedly shows a group of Turkish-speaking soldiers beating a Kurdish villager in order to get information about anti-tank missile belonging to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). According to the pro-Kurdish @TurkeyUntold Twitter account, the video was recorded during a Turkish military operation in the Afrin region of Syria. The Turkish
- [Content by Gülen-linked scholars removed from Turkey’s state-backed Islamic Encyclopedia](https://turkeypurge.org/content-gulen-linked-scholars-removed-turkeys-state-backed-islamic-encyclopedia/) - Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) has removed from its Islamic Encyclopedia content by some scholars are affiliated with the Gulen movement, according to theology professor Ayhan Tekines. In a series of tweets, Tekines said Friday that Diyanet censored the encyclopedia’s online version, removing articles written by him and Suat Yildirim, a close associate of Fethullah
- [ESP İstanbul district head put in pre-trial detention: report](https://turkeypurge.org/esp-istanbul-district-head-put-pre-trial-detention-report/) - Pınar Türk, İstanbul district head for the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), has been put in pre-trial detention by an İstanbul court, the Birgün daily reported on Friday. According to the report, Türk was jailed distributing leaflets lambasting a recent state of emergency decree that stipulates all convicts and suspects under arrest for alleged crimes against the
- [US consulate staffer in Istanbul put under ‘house arrest’: report](https://turkeypurge.org/us-consulate-staffer-istanbul-put-house-arrest-report/) - A Turkish citizen working for the US Consulate in Istanbul, identified as N.M.C., was put under de facto house arrest, according to Al-Monitor on Thursday. N.M.C. was interrogated for four hours and asked to remain in his house until a further notice, sources told Al-Monitor adding that he did not go to work on Feb
- [Letter campaign launched for Turkey’s imprisoned women, mothers](https://turkeypurge.org/letter-campaign-launched-turkeys-imprisoned-women-mothers/) - An initiative called Set Them Free has launched a letter campaign to show solidarity with women in jail and mothers who are incarcerated with their children. In the aftermath of a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, more than 17,000 women from all walks of life including teachers, doctors and housewives have been jailed
- [Re-arrest of AI Turkey chair a travesty of justice, says EP members](https://turkeypurge.org/re-arrest-ai-turkey-chair-travesty-justice-says-ep-members/) - Rebecca Harms, together with other members of the European Parliament and the EP-Turkey Forum, on Thursday criticized the re-arrest of Taner Kılıç, chairman of the board of Amnesty International Turkey, by a Turkish court, calling it “a travesty of justice.” The Istanbul 35th High Criminal Court on Wednesday ordered the conditional release of Kılıç, who
- [Police detain 13 over support for TTB statement criticizing Turkey’s Afrin incursion](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-13-support-ttb-statement-criticizing-turkeys-afrin-incursion/) - 13 more people have been detained over their messages of support for a statement released by the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) criticizing Turkey’s military operation in the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region of Syria, the pro-government Sabah daily reported on Friday. According to the report, 13 people were detained by police in raids on their homes early
- [[VIDEO] Pro-Erdogan journalist urges gov’t to shutter critical TV channel](https://turkeypurge.org/video-pro-erdogan-journalist-urges-govt-shutter-critical-tv-channel/) - Journalist Cem Kucuk, a staunch supporter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has called on the government to close down the critical TV channel, KRT. “[Foreigners] in YPG ranks in Afrin fire their guns against Turkish troops. And then, this KRT TV channel host Caglar Dilara gets on his program [pro-Kurdish HDP deputy] Garo Paylan
- [Turkey down two places to rank 101st in 113-country rule of law index](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-two-places-ranked-101st-113-country-justice-index/) - Turkey has been downgraded two places and ranked 101st among 113 countries in a justice index by a US advocacy group. The World Justice Project (WJP) released its biyearly Rule of Law Index along with a 191-page report based on 110,000 households and 3,000 experts in 113 countries, on Wednesday. “Turkey dropped two positions for
- [Gov’t critic Furkan foundation closed after head, members detained](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-critic-furkan-foundation-closed-head-members-detained/) - The anti-government Furkan foundation has been temporarily closed as part of a decision by a prosecutor. “Adana-based Furkan foundation, all its branches and representatives were banned in accordance with the approval of the Interior Ministry, dated Jan 31, 2018,” a written statement by the Adana Public Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday. Furkan’s president Alparslan Kuytul were
- [[VIDEO] Warrants issued for 18 women over Gülen links: 15 detained](https://turkeypurge.org/video-warrants-issued-18-women-gulen-links-15-detained/) - Detention warrants were issued for 18 women in Turkey’s central province of Konya as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, on Tuesday. State-run Anadolu news agency said women are part of the Gulen group’s women network in Konya. Police detained 15 of them at the time of this writing while the remaining 3
- [PACE urges release of Amnesty’s Turkey chair ahead of Jan 31 hearing](https://turkeypurge.org/pace-urges-release-amnestys-turkey-chair-ahead-jan-31-hearing/) - Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s (PACE) has called for the release of Amnesty International’s (AI) Turkey chair Taner Kilic, under arrest for more than 7 months now. In a written statement issued a day before Kilic’s court appearance on Jan 31, PACE’s co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Turkey, Marianne Mikko (Estonia, SOC) and
- [20 detained for money deposits to Bank Asya](https://turkeypurge.org/20-detained-money-deposits-bank-asya/) - At least 20 people were detained for their previous money deposits into Bank Asya, as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement on Wednesday. An Istanbul prosecutor issued detention warrants for 36 people who are accused of having sold off their belongings to create funds for Bank Asya, the movement’s lender which was later
- [111K public servants dismissed, 4K later reinstated: gov’t](https://turkeypurge.org/111k-public-servants-dismissed-4k-later-reinstated-govt/) - A total of 110,778 people were dismissed from state institutions while 3,604 of them were later reinstated to their jobs, with post-coup emergency decrees, according to Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag. The number of people who have lost their state jobs with emergency decrees stands at 107,174 after reinstatements, Bozdag told a parliamentary gathering Wednesday. Turkey
- [11 members of Turkish Medical Association detained over criticism of Turkey’s Afrin offensive](https://turkeypurge.org/11-members-turkish-medical-association-detained-criticism-turkeys-afrin-offensive/) - Eleven members of the Turkish Medical Association’s (TTB) central council were detained early on Tuesday for criticizing the Turkish military’s “Operation Olive Branch,” recently launched against the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Syrian district of Afrin. The detentions came several days after the TTB denounced the cross-border military operation into Syria, saying “No to
- [Muslim preacher critical of Turkish government detained by anti-terror police](https://turkeypurge.org/muslim-preacher-critical-turkish-government-detained-anti-terror-police/) - At least 21 people including Alparslan Kuytul, president of the Furkan Foundation and leader of a religious group critical of the Turkish government, were detained by a group of anti-terror police, several Turkish media outlets reported. Kuytul and other detainees are reportedly accused of “disturbing public order” and “establishing a criminal organization.” Units from the police’s
- [Interior Ministry: 2,426 detained in January over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/interior-ministry-2426-detained-january-coup-charges/) - The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that 623 people have been detained in one week due to alleged links to the Gülen group, bringing the number of people taken into custody in January to 2,426. The group is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. A total
- [Ministry: 311 detained over social media posts on Afrin operation](https://turkeypurge.org/ministry-311-detained-social-media-posts-afrin-operation/) - A total of 311 people were detained over their social media posts critical of Turkey’s Afrin operations in the past week, according to official data. The Interior Ministry said in a statement on Jan 29 that 311 people were detained for “terror propaganda in their social media postings on Afrin operation” in past week. On Jan
- [Journalist Oktay Candemir detained in eastern Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-oktay-candemir-detained-eastern-turkey/) - Oktay Candemir, a former reporter for the pro-Kurdish DIHA news agency was detained in the eastern province of Van on Monday. Candemir was taken into custody due to his reports on Turkey’s recent offensive in Syria’s Afrin, ANF said. On Jan 22, Turkish troops entered Afrin area, which is controlled by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’
- [Turkish government’s ‘Global Purge’ targeted opponents in at least 46 countries: report](https://turkeypurge.org/report-turkish-governments-global-purge-targeted-opponents-least-46-countries/) - Turkish government has pursued an aggressive policy to silence its perceived enemies in at least 46 countries across four continents, as part of its post-coup crackdown, a Foreign Affairs article noted Monday. Turkish government has been hunting its opponents abroad, particularly the supporters of the Gulen movement since before and after the failed putsch on
- [13 teachers detained over Gülen links in Turkey’s Samsun](https://turkeypurge.org/12-teachers-detained-gulen-links-turkeys-samsun/) - At least 13 teachers were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement in Turkey’s southern province of Samsun, media said Friday. Police carried out operations in several locations in the Black Sea province of Samsun and detained all the suspects. 12 of the 13 teachers were earlier dismissed from their jobs over alleged affiliation
- [Izmit joins other municipalities to ban theatre play ‘Just a Dictator’](https://turkeypurge.org/izmit-joins-municipalities-ban-theatre-play-just-dictator/) - The theater performance about a fictional dictator by outspoken actor Baris Atay was banned in Kocaeli’s central district of Izmit, the latest of such attempts against the critical monologue. “Just a Dictator” is a monologue performed by Atay about the head of an unspecified country and his rise to power amid angry yet little to
- [German-Kurdish footballer not returning to his team in Turkey over security concerns](https://turkeypurge.org/german-kurdish-footballer-not-returning-team-turkey-security-concerns/) - Deniz Naki, a German football player with Kurdish roots will not return to his Turkey-based team, Amedspor over security concerns, Der Spiegel said Saturday. Naki wants to dissolve his contract with Amedspor and stay in Germany, 28-year-old’s lawyer Stephan Kuhn told the German magazine. The lawyer reportedly underlined security concerns for the decision. Naki’s car
- [Former police chiefs, already under arrest for some 4 years, put in solitary confinement: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/former-police-chiefs-already-under-arrest-for-some-4-years-put-in-solitary-confinement-lawyer/) - Jailed police officers Yurt Atayün and Ömer Köse were put in solitary confinement, according to their lawyer Ömer Turanlı. In a series of tweets on Jan 24, Turanli said Atayün and Köse were taken from Istanbul’s Silivri prison to Edirne and Tekirdag prisons, respectively where both were put in solitary confinement. Turanli said his clients have
- [Belgian police say Turkish embassy in Brussels behind online threats against journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/belgian-police-say-turkish-embassy-brussels-behind-online-threats-journalists/) - The Belgian police have found out that part of the threats targeting Turkish journalists in 2016 were made on computers at the Turkish embassy in Brussels. A recent police investigation has shown that at least one of the threatening social media messages received by Turkish journalists Mete Ozturk and Riza Dogan in July and September
- [Report: Four detained for criticizing Friday sermon in support of Turkey’s Afrin operation](https://turkeypurge.org/report-four-detained-criticizing-friday-sermon-support-turkeys-afrin-operation/) - Four people were detained after they stood out against a government-employed, local imam who had asked worshippers to pray for Turkey’s offensive in the Syrian city of Afrin during a Friday sermon. Media reported that a group of worshippers left the Friday prayer at Feqıyê Teyran mosque in Diyarbakir’s Kayapinar district when the imam praised the
- [Woman detained after being overheard ‘insulting Erdogan’ during bus ride](https://turkeypurge.org/woman-detained-overheard-insulting-erdogan-bus-ride/) - An Ankara woman, identified as M.A., was detained after being reported to police for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a conversation with her friend on the bus. Cumhuriyet daily newspaper said Friday that M.A. was reported to police by another commuter who had overheard M.A.’s conversation in which she was discussing the 2013
- [Pro-Erdogan deputy cheers alleged death of US soldier in Syria](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-erdogan-deputy-cheers-alleged-death-us-soldier-syria/) - Justice and Development Party (AKP) Gaziantep deputy Şamil Tayyar has welcomed the death news of a soldier from the US Special Forces in northern Syria’s Afrin region, where four days ago the Turkish military launched an offensive against Kurdish-held positions. “Wow. It is a good thing,” Tayyar tweeted. The deputy is known for his extreme support
- [Fethullah Gülen’s niece sentenced to 7.5 years in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/fethullah-gulens-niece-sentenced-7-5-years-jail/) - Turkish Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen’s niece, identified as B.G., was given 7.5 years of prison sentence on terror charges. State-run Anadolu news agency said Thursday that B.G., under pretrial detention since Nov 2016, was sentenced to 7 years plus 6 months in prison on charges of membership to a terror group. Underlining that she was
- [International bar association says concerned about torture against jailed Turkish lawyers](https://turkeypurge.org/ibas-human-rights-institute-says-concerned-torture-jailed-turkish-lawyers/) - The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has said that it is concerned with the reported allegations of torture and mistreatment against detained lawyers in Turkey. In a written statement to mark the 2018 Day of the Endangered Lawyer on Jan 24, the IBAHRI’s co-chair Hans Corell said the institute is deeply concerned by the large
- [Turkey issues detention warrant for son of former chief justice over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detenton-warrant-son-former-chief-justice-coup-charges/) - Detention warrant was issued on Friday for Fatih Samed Kılıç, son of Haşim Kılıç, a former chief justice, as part of an investigation into the Gülen group, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Kılıç is accused of using a mobile application called Bylock. Turkish authorities believe ByLock is a communication tool among followers of the Gülen group,
- [Int’l bar association calls on Turkey to stop persecution of legal professionals](https://turkeypurge.org/intl-bar-association-calls-turkey-stop-persecution-legal-professionals/) - The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called on the government of Turkey to halt the persecution of human rights defenders and legal professionals amid growing evidence that they are being systematically persecuted, detained and prosecuted by Turkish authorities. In a statement published on the website of the Arrested Lawyers Initiative to mark
- [[AUDIO] Pro-Erdogan radio host calls on police to kill Afrin operation critics](https://turkeypurge.org/audio-pro-erdogan-radio-host-calls-police-kill-afrin-operation-critics/) - Kral FM radio host Ali Şentürk, known as “Afrikalı Ali,” called on security forces to kill anybody who criticizes Turkey’s operation in the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region of Syria, Cumhuriyet reported. “I am calling on the police. They should show no mercy. The government has already given them the authority. They [police] should leave mercy aside
- [Head of local lawyers’ association sentenced to 9 years in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/head-local-lawyers-association-sentenced-9-years-prison/) - An Adana court sentenced the last president of the now-defunct Nizam Lawyers’ Association, identified as S.U., to 9 years in jail on terror charges. S.U., a lawyer who chaired the Adana-based Nizam Lawyers’ Association until it was closed in a post-coup emergency decree, appeared during his final hearing on Thursday. Under arrest for some time
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 16 military personnel over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-16-military-personnel-coup-charges/) - The Ordu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday issued detention warrants for 16 military personnel of various ranks as part of an investigation into people claimed to have links to the Gülen group, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the report, 12 of the 16 have been detained in operations in nine provinces.
- [Turkey detains 41 including 6 journalists over tweets criticizing military operations in Afrin](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-41-including-6-journalists-military-operations-afrin/) - Turkish public prosecutor’s offices on Sunday issued detention warrants for at least 41 people on accusations of disseminating the propaganda of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in social media messages concerning a Turkish military operation in the Afrin region of Syria, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According
- [Turkish prosecutors launch investigation into pro-Kurdish deputies over Afrin tweets](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-prosecutors-launch-investigation-pro-kurdish-deputies-afrin-tweets/) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday launched an investigation into pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies Ayhan Bilgen and Nadir Yıldırım for tweets critical of Turkish military operations in the Kurdish-controlled Afrin region of Syria. According a Cumhuriyet report, Bilgen and Yıldırım are accused of “incitement of hatred and hostility” through their messages
- [Retired teacher put in pre-trial detention over posts critical of Turkey’s Afrin operation](https://turkeypurge.org/retired-teacher-put-pre-trial-detention-posts-critical-turkeys-afrin-operation/) - Ali Ulvi Oğur, a retired teacher, have been put in pre-trial detention by a Turkish court on accusations of disseminating the propaganda of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in social media messages concerning a Turkish military operation in the Afrin region of Syria. According to the Cumhuriyet daily,
- [4 former public servants detained while trying to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/4-former-public-servants-detained-trying-escape-greece/) - At least six people were detained while they were allegedly on their way to illegally cross into Greece. State-run Anadolu news agency said Tuesday that gendarmerie stopped a car near Umurca village in Edirne, Turkey’s border province with Greece. In the car were four former public servants who were dismissed from their jobs in the
- [Quarterly magazine editor Haydar Ergül jailed](https://turkeypurge.org/quarterly-magazine-editor-haydar-ergul-jailed/) - Haydar Ergul, an editor for the quarterly Demokratik Modernite magazine has been put in pretrial detention. Detained at Diyarbakir airport on Jan 16, Ergul was asked about the articles published at Demokratik Modernite, pro-Kurdish ETHA news agency said Tuesday. Ergul was jailed after he spent 5 days under police custody on charges of membership to
- [[VIDEO] Erdoğan advisor associates post-coup purge with Aborigine, Native American, Armenian cases](https://turkeypurge.org/video-erdogan-advisor-associates-post-coup-purge-with-aborigine-native-american-armenian-cases/) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief advisor, Mehmet Uçum, has said the Turkish state can apologize to the victims of a post-coup crackdown only years after the events take place as Australia did for the Aborigines, the US did for the Native Americans and Turkey did for the Armenians. Uçum’s remarks came during a recent
- [Report: 7-month-old spent 475 days in prison until gov’t pardoned mother over alleged Bylock use](https://turkeypurge.org/report-7-month-old-spent-475-days-prison-govt-pardoned-mother-alleged-bylock-use/) - Zeynep Şura, a 7-month-old girl when she was jailed along with her mother, was released from prison after the government pardoned the latter over her alleged ByLock use. Under arrest for 475 days, Zeynep Şura was released along with her mother on Jan 17, GriHat online news portal said Saturday. Turkish authorities believe ByLock is
- [Human Rights Watch says Turkey’s post-coup OHAL commissions not independent](https://turkeypurge.org/human-rights-watch-says-turkeys-ohal-commissions-not-independent/) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its World Report 2018 on Thursday that Turkey’s State of Emergency (OHAL) Procedures Investigation Commissions are not independent of the government interference. “In January, the government ruled on the establishment of an ad hoc commission to review decisions made under the state of emergency. The commission lacks independence since
- [[VIDEO] Couple, dismissed as judge and prosecutor, detained over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/video-couple-dismissed-judge-prosecutor-detained-gulen-links/) - An Antalya couple, dismissed from their offices as judge and prosecutor, were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement. The former judge, identified as Ayse D., was rounded up along with her husband Hakan D., a former prosecutor, following a police raid at an apartment in Antalya’s Konyaalti district. The couple who
- [Turkey jails two more journalists on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-jails-two-journalists-terror-charges/) - Veli Büyükşahin and Veli Haydar Güleç, the two journalists from the now-defunct TV 10 television channel were put in pretrial detention on Thursday. TV10 is one of at least 180 media outlets the government shut down in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. Detained on accusations of membership to a terror group,
- [Fethullah Gülen’s nephew jailed after 12 days under custody](https://turkeypurge.org/fethullah-gulens-nephew-jailed-12-days-custody/) - Fethullah Gülen’s nephew Tavus Bin Keysan Gülen was put in pretrial detention as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, on Thursday. Detained in Istanbul’s Umraniye district on Jan 6, Şamil is accused of establishing and leading a terrorist organization as the government labels the
- [BIA report: 237 aggravated life sentences sought for 520 journalists in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/bia-report-237-aggravated-life-sentences-sought-520-journalists-turkey/) - A recently released quarterly report, the BIA Media Monitoring Report, has revealed that 122 journalists were in Turkish jails as of Jan.1, 2018, while 520 journalists are facing 237 aggravated life sentences and an additional 3,672 years in prison on various charges. The 520 journalists who are standing trial without pretrial detention also face the
- [Report: Koç University student commits suicide as father, a dismissed chemistry teacher, under arrest for months](https://turkeypurge.org/report-koc-university-student-commits-suicide-father-dismissed-chemistry-teacher-arrest-months/) - Ali Furkan Yabaneri, a 24-year-old electrical engineering student at Istanbul’s prestigious Koç University, died of an overdose months after his father was jailed as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown. Local media said Yabaneri committed suicide at his family’s home in the central Anatolian province of Kirsehir on Jan 15. A last-year student at the electrical
- [Journalists Ahmet Şık, Murat Sabuncu and Akın Atalay denied release from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/journalists-ahmet-sik-murat-sabuncu-akin-atalay-denied-release-prison/) - An Istanbul court has turned down requests that were launched for the release of veteran journalists Ahmet Şık, Murat Sabuncu and Akın Atalay three days ago. Lawyers representing the three Cumhuriyet journalists submitted petitions to the Istanbul court overseeing the case, asking for the release of their clients over an earlier ruling by the Constitutional Court,
- [Mayor gets 4 years in prison for preventing Imam from reciting Adhan on night of coup attempt: report](https://turkeypurge.org/mayor-gets-4-years-prison-preventing-imam-reciting-adhan-night-coup-attempt-report/) - The mayor of Bilecik’s İnhisar district intervened in Sala prayers recited by a local imam in order to encourage people into streets during the night of July 15, 2016 coup attempt, has been arrested by a Turkish court. According to the Birgün daily, Ayhan Ödübek is accused of forcibly silencing an Imam while reciting Sala
- [Purge-victim dies of multiple sclerosis weeks after being released from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-dies-multiple-sclerosis-weeks-released-prison/) - Mesut Dinçer, a former court clerk dismissed and later arrested by the Turkish government over coup charges, has died of multiple sclerosis (MS) several weeks after he was released from prison pending trial, the TR724 news portal reported. Dinçer was dismissed from his job after a coup attempt on July 15, 2016 and subsequently put
- [Soldiers wait outside delivery room to take woman back to prison after birth: deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/soldiers-wait-outside-delivery-room-take-woman-back-prison-birth/) - A group of soldiers from the Turkish army are reportedly waiting outside the delivery room in İzmir’s Çiğli state hospital in order to take ‘Gülenist’ Ayşe Ateş back to prison after giving birth, according to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu. Ateş, a public servant who was dismissed from his job and later
- [Lower court rejects demand for release of Turkish academic by Turkey’s Top Court](https://turkeypurge.org/lower-court-rejects-demand-release-turkish-academic-turkeys-top-court/) - The Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court has rejected a demand by Turkey’s Constitutional court to release Turkish academic Mehmet Altan from prison, several Turkish media outlets reported. The local court’s decision came several days after the Constitutional Court for the release of Altan and columnist Şahin Alpay from jail on Jan. 11. In Turkey, the
- [Suspects who attacked 75-year old woman released after brief interrogation: report](https://turkeypurge.org/suspects-attacked-75-year-old-woman-released-brief-interrogation-report/) - 2 suspects who reportedly beat a 75-year old woman last week in Denizli province, were reportedly released by a Denizli judge after a brief interrogation on Monday, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. About 10:00 p.m. Jan. 10, police were called to a home in Denizli’s Çal district, where Ümmü Coşdan was beaten and bruised by two man
- [Freedom House: Turkey is no longer a free country](https://turkeypurge.org/freedom-house-turkey-no-longer-free-country/) - The US-based Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world, has classified Turkey as “not free” for the first time since the report series began in 1999. According to the new report on freedoms round the world, due to the Turkish government’s ongoing crackdown in the wake of
- [721 people detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/721-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-ministry/) - At least 721 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 721 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Jan 8-15. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/de-6/)
- [Detention warrants issued for 84 people who worked at Gulen dormitories](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-84-people-worked-gulen-dormitories/) - Warrants were issued for 84 people who used to work for dormitories affiliated with the Gulen movement on Monday. An Istanbul prosecutor issued detention warrants for 84 suspects who worked at the Yuksek Tahsil Vakfi, the parent foundation above all Gulen-linked dormitories until they were closed by the government, state-run Anadolu agency said. Police carried
- [7,655 dismissed, 243 others suspended at Health Ministry so far: minister](https://turkeypurge.org/7655-dismissed-252-others-suspended-health-ministry-far-minister/) - At total of 7,655 people were dismissed from the Health Ministry as part of the government’s post-coup purge of state institutions, according to official data. Health Minister Ahmet Demircan told the state-run Anadolu agency that 7,655 people working under his ministry were dismissed, of whom 252 were later reinstated to their jobs. Meanwhile, 252 others
- [Diyarbakir man says cows seized by gov’t as part of post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/diyarbakir-man-says-cows-seized-govt-part-post-coup-crackdown/) - Ali Vuran, a former public worker who was dismissed from the Diyarbakir Municipality, said his cows were seized by the government. Voice of America’s Turkish edition reported Sunday that Vuran started doing farming and husbandry after he was removed from the Diyarbakir municipality with a post-coup emergency decree. Vuran has failed to avoid further persecution
- [Report: Police chief who fought against ‘Erdogan assassins’ during coup sentenced to 6 years in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/police-chief-fought-erdogan-assassins-coup-sentenced-6-years-jail/) - A local police chief, identified by his initials M.O., who fought against the alleged assassination team targeting the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the defeated coup in the summer of 2016, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in jail. The police chief of Marmaris, a western resort town where Erdogan was staying in a
- [Turkey’s prize-winning author Aslı Erdoğan: University students in Turkey are being jailed over tweets](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-prize-winning-author-asli-erdogan-university-students-turkey-jailed-tweets/) - Turkey’s prize-winning author Aslı Erdoğan said during a live TV interview on France 24 TV channel that people in Turkey “are afraid of breathing, let along tweeting,” as thousands of university students in Turkey have been jailed over tweets across the country. “The oppression is very strong. As it goes stronger and stronger, the opposition gets
- [Pro-Kurdish deputy gets 8 years, 1 month in prison on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-deputy-gets-8-years-1-month-prison-terror-charges/) - Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Abdullah Zeydan has been given 8 years, one month and 15 days prison sentence for “aiding a terrorist organization” and “disseminating the propaganda of a terrorist organization”, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. A verdict of eight years, one month and 15 days for Zeydan for “aiding a terrorist organization” and “disseminating
- [Warrants issued for 70 teachers in Turkey’s capital](https://turkeypurge.org/warrants-issued-70-teachers-turkeys-capital/) - Detention warrants were issued for a total of 70 teachers as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, on Friday. Police carried out operations to detain 70 teachers upon the warrants issued by an Ankara prosecutor. The suspected teachers used to work for the schools which were closed down by the government over Gulen
- [2 media outlets closed, 262 dismissed in new gov’t decree](https://turkeypurge.org/2-media-outlets-closed-262-dismissed-new-govt-decree/) - Turkish government shuttered yet another 2 media outlets while dismissing 262 people from state institutions with a new government decree issued early Friday. The new decree, No 697, removed from their jobs 262 people including 60 academics, 19 university personnel and 48 Defense ministry and military personnel. YEK TV and Hatmar FM radio were closed
- [Imprisoned Kurdish leader Demirtaş makes first appearance in court in 14 months](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-kurdish-leader-demirtas-makes-first-appearance-court-14-months/) - Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş made his first appearance in court today as part of a trial in which he is charged with insulting the president of Turkey, the bianet news website reported. The İstanbul Bakırköy 38th Criminal Court of First Instance had ruled that Demirtaş attend the hearing in person rather than
- [24 former Bank Asya shareholders put in pretrial detention](https://turkeypurge.org/24-former-bank-asya-shareholders-put-pretrial-detention/) - A total of 24 former Bank Asya shareholders were remanded in prison pending trial over on accusations of membership to the Gulen movement. Last week, police detained 49 former shareholders of the now-closed Islamic lender who had authority to elect the executive board and make trade-related and administrative decisions at Bank Asya. Media said Wednesday
- [Report: Ankara investigating 60 businessmen for stock market selloff ahead of 2016 coup attempt](https://turkeypurge.org/report-ankara-investigating-60-businessmen-stock-market-selloff-ahead-2016-coup-attempt/) - Ankara Public prosecutor’s office has been investigating 50 to 60 businessmen who are suspected of having withdrawn from the country’s stock exchange just before a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to pro-government Yeni Safak daily, the businessmen in question “extraordinarily” sold off all their shares at the country’s stock exchange in a
- [French writers, journalists ‘adopt’ Turkish colleagues in solidarity](https://turkeypurge.org/french-writers-journalists-adopt-turkish-colleagues-solidarity/) - Fourteen journalists and writers in France penned letters for their Turkish colleagues, currently behind bars or recently-released, as part of a solidarity campaign with the media in Turkey. “14 French personalities, godmothers and sponsors of imprisoned journalists, take the pen or their pencil to support their godchildren and confreres who are fighting in Turkey for
- [[VIDEO] 25 teachers detained in Turkey’s Samsun](https://turkeypurge.org/video-25-teachers-detained-turkeys-samsun/) - Twenty-five teachers were detained in Samsun province on Thursday over links to the Gülen group, İHA reported. According to the report, two of the 25 were still teaching, while the rest had previously been dismissed as part of an investigation targeting the Gülen group launched following a failed coup in 2016. Turkey survived a military
- [Erdogan wins CPJ’s press oppressor awards in several categories](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-given-cpj-award-for-undermining-press/) - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has named Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the winner of several categories in their recognition of world leaders who have gone out of their way to attack the press and undermine the norms that support freedom of the media, including the most thin skinned and the most outrageous
- [Jailed engineer to judge: You will stand trial when democracy comes to this country!](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-engineer-judge-will-stand-trial-democracy-comes-country/) - A Kocaeli engineer, identified by his initials M.K., told the judge in charge that he will stand trial for his decision to sentence the former to nearly 7 years in jail on terror charges, media said Monday. “Dear judge, I didn’t get this sentence. You sentenced yourself. When the democracy and the rule of law
- [Jailed father allowed to attend son’s funeral in handcuffs](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-father-allowed-attend-sons-funeral-handcuffs/) - Jailed father of Berk Görmez, a 14-year-old boy who died of intestinel cancer last week, could attend his son’s funeral only with his hands cuffed during the ceremony. “They did not take off Bekir Gormez’s handcuffs during the funeral for his son Berk Gormez who died before he was allowed to visit his father,” human
- [Turkish gov’t uses emergency rule to suppress dissent: opposition leader](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-uses-emergency-rule-suppress-dissent-says-opposition-leader/) - The Turkish government has been using emergency rule to suppress the dissident groups instead of “fighting the coup plotters,” the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said. According to a report by the Hurriyet daily news on Tuesday, Kılıçdaroğlu also slammed the ruling Ak Party’s recent decision to extend the state of emergency
- [[VIDEO] 5 children, 8 others detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-5-children-8-others-detained-way-escape-greece/) - At least 13 people were detained while they were allegedly on their way to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, media said on Jan 9. State-run Anadolu news agency said gendarmerie stopped a suspected group of 13 people in Gavurağılı neighborhood in the western province of Mugla. When some of the group members attempted to escape gendarmerie
- [Turkish police detain another pro-Kurdish deputy in İzmir: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-detain-another-pro-kurdish-deputy-izmir-report/) - Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Şanlıurfa deputy and spokesperson Osman Baydemir was detained in the western Turkish province of İzmir on Saturday. A detention warrant has recently been issued for Baydemir by a Şırnak upon he failed to testify to authorities as part of an investigation carried out against him in Şırnak province. The Mezopotamya new
- [Gülen’s nephew detained in Istanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/gulens-nephew-detained-istanbul/) - Fethullah Gülen’s nephew Tavus Bin Keysan Gülen was rounded up as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, on Saturday. Detained in Istanbul’s Umraniye district, Şamil is accused of membership to a terrorist organization as the government labels the movement as terrorist group. The
- [At least 50 dismissed public employees committed suicide since failed coup: union](https://turkeypurge.org/least-50-dismissed-public-employees-committed-suicide-since-failed-coup-union/) - More than 50 former public employees committed suicide after they were removed from their offices as part of the government’s post-coup purge of state institutions, according to the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK). Over 50 people, among them former judges, prosecutors, police officers and civil servants committed suicide due to dismissal from their
- [[VIDEO] Erdogan scolds French journalist over Syria question](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-scolds-french-journalist-syria-question/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out a French journalist after he was asked a question about Turkish intelligence’s alleged arm shipment to Syrian extremists in Syria. “You are talking like someone from FETO organization,” Erdogan responded to French reporter Laurent Richard during a press conference in Paris on Friday. Richard said “he is talking
- [[VIDEO] Teacher couple sent to jail after attempting to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-teacher-couple-sent-jail-attempting-escape-greece/) - A Karabuk couple, both teachers who were earlier removed from their jobs over alleged ties to the Gulen movement, was arrested pending trial after they were caught trying to flee to Greece. The teacher couple, identified as S.M and H.M, was rounded up along with 10 others near Büyükdoğanca village in Edirne, Turkey’s border province
- [70-year-old businessman re-arrested after pro-gov’t journalist reacted to release](https://turkeypurge.org/70-year-old-businessman-re-arrested-pro-govt-journalist-reacted-conditional-release/) - Cahit Nakıboğlu, a 70-year-old businessman who spent nearly 1.5 years behind bars as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown against the Gulen movement, was re-arrested only a day after he was released under house arrest. The new ruling to re-jail him came hours after the pro-government journalist Cem Kucuk criticized the initial court decision to
- [Turkish court approves 34-year sentence for 6 pro-Kurdish university students](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-approves-34-year-sentence-6-pro-kurdish-university-students/) - The Antalya Regional Court of Justice has approved a 34 year, 9 month prison sentence for six university students, who are members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), several media outlets in Turkey reported. The students — Merve Nur İşleyici, Ceylan Bozkurt, Fatma Erez, Özgür Sevinç Şimşek, Didar Boza and Necla Unay — were given prison sentences
- [Turkey’s new racist political party: ‘Turks are superior race’](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-new-racist-political-party-turks-superior-race/) - Turkey’s first openly racist political party was founded on Dec. 20, the Duvar news portal reported on Jan. 5. The Ötüken Union Party was established by a group of Turkish nationalists and has officially been included by the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutor’s Office in the yearly political party list. Ötüken is the capital city in both Turkic
- [Turkey’s National Intelligence received 25,000 informer reports on Gülenists in 2017: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-national-intelligence-received-25000-informer-reports-gulenists-2017-report/) - Some 25,000 reports on Turkey’s Gülen group were sent to Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in 2017, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported that. According to report, people used the MİT website to inform the organization about people suspected to be linked to the Gülen group. Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on Friday said 48,305
- [‘Gülenist’ couple ‘battered and tortured’ in Nevşehir prison — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/gulenist-couple-battered-tortured-nevsehir-prison-claim/) - Ahmet Tuncer Yolcu and Zeynep Yolcu, a Turkish couple who were arrested some two weeks ago over their alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, have allegedly faced maltreatment, physical violence and torture as well as being threatened with death, according to a report in the Grihat news portal. According to the report, Zeynep and his husband Ahmet
- [Yet another journalist jailed in Turkey, already worst jailer of media in world](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-journalist-jailed-turkey-already-worst-jailer-media-world/) - Journalist Turgut Usul who was earlier sacked from the state-run broadcaster TRT has been arrested pending trial on terror charges. Removed from his TRT job with a government’s post-coup decree, Usul was arrested as part of an Ankara-based investigation into the Gulen movement. Usul is accused of membership to the movement, which the government blames
- [Pro-Kurdish HDP deputy gets 21 months in jail for insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-hdp-deputy-gets-21-months-jail-insulting-erdogan/) - Pro-Kurdish Republican Peoples’ Party (HDP) Şırnak deputy Leyla Birlik was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in prison for insulting Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday. A Şırnak deputy sentenced Birlik to one and a half year in prison, and increased the punishment by another 3 months on the grounds that the offense was committed in
- [Turkey now issues detention warrants for 70 more military personnel over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-no-issues-detention-warrants-70-military-personnel-coup-charges/) - The Konya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention warrants for 70 military personnel of various ranks as part of an ongoing investigation into the Gülen group, the Hürriyet daily reported on Thursday. According to the report, 40 of 70 have been detained in operations in 27 provinces. 58 of 70 are active-duty military personnels while
- [Mother of hunger striking educator detained in Ankara](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-hunger-striking-educator-detained-ankara/) - The mother of Semih Özakça, a primary school teacher who went on a hunger strike after he was fired by government decree in the aftermath of a July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, has been detained. Özakça’s mother, Sultan, was detained along with Beyza, the sister of the fellow educator Nuriye Gülmen, also on hunger
- [[VIDEO] Yet another 14 teachers detained in Turkey’s post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/video-yet-another-14-teachers-detained-turkeys-post-coup-crackdown/) - A total of fourteen teachers who were earlier removed from their jobs under the government’s post-coup emergency rule, were detained on Tuesday. The suspects were rounded up over their alleged ties to the Gulen movement as part of an investigation in the central Anatolian province of Konya. The government has already detained more than 140,000 people
- [Access to 4 online news portals banned](https://turkeypurge.org/access-4-online-news-portals-banned/) - The Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) has banned access to four online news portals at the request of an earlier court decision. Access to Mezopotamya news agency (MA) and Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, 1HaberVar and Demokrat Haber news portals were banned. The news sites in question have mainly pro-Kurdish editorial policy. The Turkish government closed down some 180
- [Turkish PM Binali Yildirim: Whoever opposes gov’t decree is no different than coup plotters](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-pm-binali-yildirim-whoever-opposes-govt-decree-no-different-coup-plotters/) - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on Sunday strongly criticized people who have condemned a new state of emergency decree that gives immunity to civilians who take part in thwarting coup and terror incidents, saying they’re no different than coup plotters, Cumhuriyet reported. “We have issued a law to protect our heroic citizens who advanced on
- [Opposition campaign launched to end 17-month-long post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/opposition-campaign-launched-end-17-month-long-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - A pro-democracy organisation called “United for Democracy — Demokrasi için Birlik” has launched a campaign for the lifting of the state of emergency in Turkey, reported by online news outlet Ahval on Saturday. It was declared in July 2016 after a failed coup attempt organised by a group of rouge army officials and bureaucrats. Many international observers criticised the government,
- [493 people detained over Gülen links in 2017’s final week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/493-people-detained-gulen-links-2017s-final-week-ministry/) - At least 493 people were detained as part of investigations into the Gülen movement over the past week, according to government data. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 493 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Dec 25 and Jan 1. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the
- [Lawyer put behind bars along with 3-month-old baby: report](https://turkeypurge.org/lawyer-put-behind-bars-along-3-month-old-baby-report/) - An Istanbul lawyer, identified with her initials O.E.H., was put in pretrial detention along with her three-month-old baby as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, media said. According to TR724 online news portal, O.E.H. stopped by the Tokat police station upon an earlier call from police regarding a probe on Dec 27. The
- [Turkey starts 2018 by detaining 15 judges, prosecutors, lawyers](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-starts-2018-detaining-15-judges-prosecutors-lawyers/) - At least 15 lawyers, and judges and prosecutors who were earlier removed from their offices as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown were detained on Jan 1. State-run Anadolu news agency said Monday that police carried out operations in several provinces and detained 15 suspects sought by the Tokat Public Prosecutor’s Office. The detainees are
- [Business ethics professor remanded in prison after trying to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/business-ethics-professor-remanded-prison-trying-escape-greece/) - M.A., a professor of business ethics who was earlier dismissed from his job at Istanbul’s Yildiz Technical University, has been put in pretrial detention after he attempted to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece. M.A. was detained along with A.C.E. a fellow academic who was purged from the Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir and G.H.,
- [Turkish activists to jailed businessman Kavala: We feel your absence, and we miss you a lot](https://turkeypurge.org/social-activists-jailed-businessman-kavala-feel-absence-miss-lot/) - A group of Turkish activists from different walks of life have joined in an open letter in support Osman Kavala, the chairman of İstanbul-based Anadolu Kültür Association, and one of Turkey’s most prominent businessmen who was put in pretrial detention in Nov 1, 2017. In the letter, Kavala’s former and current colleagues wished him a happy New Year. Along
- [Yet another 2 detained while on way to flee Turkish crackdown to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-2-detained-way-flee-turkish-crackdown-greece/) - At least two people were detained while they were allegedly on their way to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, media said on Dec 10. State-run Anadolu news agency gendarmerie, acting upon an earlier tipoff, found two people, identified as B.A. and A.A. hiding near a steam bed in the Eskiköy village in Edirne, Turkey’s border province
- [4 already committed suicide as gov’t pardons 11K mistakenly investigated people: report](https://turkeypurge.org/4-already-committed-suicide-govt-pardons-11k-mistakenly-investigated-people-report/) - At least four people have already committed suicide for being investigated over ByLock mobile app that they had never downloaded, according to human rights defender Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday stated that 11,480 GSM users were found to have been involuntarily directed to mobile phone application ByLock and that
- [Theater play by dismissed teacher banned](https://turkeypurge.org/theater-play-dismissed-teacher-banned/) - A theater play performed by Duygu Şahlar, a teacher who was removed from her job as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown, was banned in 5 districts of the western province of Mugla. District governors of Milas, Datça, Marmaris, Fethiye and Bodrum said: “…the staging of the theater play, Bi’şey Anlatıcam (I am gonna tell
- [Mother with 25-day-old baby allegedly jailed on coup charges in İstanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-25-day-old-baby-allegedly-jailed-coup-charges-istanbul/) - Halime Kaman, a Turkish national who gave birth some 25 days ago at an İstanbul hospital, was reportedly arrested by an İstanbul court on Friday, according to several Turkish media outlets and Twitter accounts. According to the @magduriyetlertr, Kaman gave birth to a baby in İstanbul on December 1, 2017, and was detained by police on
- [Private security guard passes away following heart attack during court hearing](https://turkeypurge.org/private-security-guard-passes-away-following-heart-attack-court-hearing/) - Şentürk Çoban, the security manager of the Highway Shopping Mall in Turkey’s Bolu province has died following a heart attack during a court appearance. Çoban who spent some 6 months before being released pending trial on accusations of membership to the Gulen movement, suffered a heart attack during a court hearing in Bolu, local media
- [RSF says obligatory uniform aimed at humiliating, intimidating and stigmatizing post-coup detainees](https://turkeypurge.org/rsf-says-obligatory-uniform-aimed-humiliating-intimidating-stigmatize-post-coup-detainees/) - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was appalled by a new Turkish decree that introduces single uniform for people imprisoned in the government’s post-coup purge. In a written statement on Thursday, RSF said the “arbitrary measure will violate the right of dozens of detained Turkish journalists to be presumed innocent.” According to government’s new post-coup
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 23 Hacettepe University academics, staff members](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-23-hacettepe-university-academics-staff-members/) - Detention warrants have been issued for 23 academics and other staff members of Hacettepe University in Ankara as part of an investigation into the Gülen group launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday. According to the report, police has detained 7 of 23 suspects in operations
- [Turkish prosecutors now say 11,500 mistakenly investigated over ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-prosecutors-now-say-11500-mistakenly-investigated-bylock-use/) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday stated that 11,480 GSM users were found to have been involuntarily directed to mobile phone application ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The legal status of the 11,480 mobile phone users will be re-evaluated, prosecutors said. Turkish authorities believe ByLock is a communication tool among Gülenists,
- [2 children, 13 others detained while on way to flee Turkey’s crackdown to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/2-children-13-others-detained-way-flee-turkeys-crackdown-greece/) - At least 15 people were detained while they were allegedly on their way to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, media said on Dec 10. Dogan news agency said gendarmerie stopped three cars near Büyükdoğanca neighborhood in Edirne, Turkey’s border province with Greece and rounded up 15 passengers on suspicion of attempting to illegally exit Turkey. Among
- [Vocalist among those dismissed in Turkey’s coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/vocalist-among-dismissed-purge-crackdown/) - Nurullah Şahinöz, a vocalist at the Presidential Classical Turkish Music Choir was removed from his position with the latest government decree, No 696, on Sunday. Turkish media has said Şahinöz was purged from his position as a vocalist at the presidential choir. More than 150,000 people have lost their jobs since the failed coup on July 15,
- [Tunisian journalists protest in support of Turkish colleagues in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/tunisian-journalists-protest-support-turkish-colleagues-jail/) - Members of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists have staged a protest in Tunis in solidarity with journalists jailed in Turkey, ahead of a visit to Tunisia by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to several Tunisian and Turkish media outlets, the goal of the protest was to “send a massage of protest against the
- [Former footballer Uğur Boral briefly detained over Gulen links: report](https://turkeypurge.org/former-footballer-ugur-boral-briefly-detained-gulen-links-report/) - Former football player Uğur Boral was briefly detained over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, according to Haberturk daily newspaper. The 35-year-old former footballer who player for, among other clubs, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, was detained as part of an investigation into the movement a few days ago and released only after he tipped off
- [Dismissed teacher dies following heart attack: report](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-teacher-dies-following-heart-attack-report/) - Hüsamettin Özaydın, a father of four and an English language teacher who was removed from his job at a Siirt school, has reportedly passed away following a heart attack. According the Magduriyetler.com, a web portal that reports post-coup abuses, Özaydın was dismissed with the government’s post-coup emergency decree, No 672, in late October 2016. The
- [[VIDEO] Turkish man attacks ‘Set Children Free’ demo in Germany](https://turkeypurge.org/video-turkish-man-attacks-set-children-free-demo-germany/) - A Turkish man has attacked a demonstration in Germany’s Nuremberg, held in solidarity with the children jailed along with their mothers in Turkey. In a video recording posted by journalist Fuat Baran on Twitter the other day, the assailant is heard swearing at the group before physically attacking some of them. Turkey Purge has failed
- [Kayseri man detained for insulting Erdogan on social media](https://turkeypurge.org/kayseri-man-detained-insulting-erdogan-social-media/) - A Kayseri man, identified only with his initials G.A., was detained for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his social media accounts. State-run Anadolu news agency reported on Dec 24 that G.A. was rounded up by police and taken to a nearby police station for interrogation. Anadolu said G.A. is also accused of making propaganda
- [Letter from Tekirdag prison censored, cut off with scissors](https://turkeypurge.org/letter-tekirdag-prison-censored-cut-off-scissors/) - A letter sent by a Turkish prisoner to a journalist was censored by an unprecedented method and just three sentences of the letter left behind, wrote the online news outlet Artı Gerçek. Describing the example as a black humor, the news outlet stated that this censorship has been experienced in Turkish prisons where rights violations
- [Turkish political scientist put in solitary confinement: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-political-scientist-put-solitary-confinement-report/) - Political scientist and columnist Mümtaz’er Türköne has reportedly been put in solitary confinement by a Turkish court. According to Abdulhamit Bilici, former editor-in-chief of now-closed Zaman daily, Türköne, a renowned columnist for the Zaman daily who is standing trial for alleged links to a coup attempt and membership in a terrorist organization due to his
- [İstanbul court removes Ahmet Şık from courtroom, rules Cumhuriyet journalists to remain in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-court-removes-ahmet-sik-courtroom-rules-cumhuriyet-journalists-remain-jail/) - An İstanbul court on Monday ruled that several Cumhuriyet daily journalists who were arrested on Nov. 12, 2016 on terror charges will remain in pretrial detention, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. The İstanbul 27th High Criminal Court scheduled the next hearing for March 9, 2018 for Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu, reporter Ahmet Şık, CEO Akın Atalay
- [Jailed pro-Kurdish leader on new jumpsuits: I would rather wear a shroud than a uniform in court](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-pro-kurdish-leader-new-jumpsuits-rather-wear-shroud-uniform-court/) - Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party’s co-chair (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş has reportedly said he would rather wear a shroud than a uniform in court appearances, in response to a new mandatory dress code measure that has been imposed by the Turkish government. “We would rather wear a shroud than wear a uniform and bow in front of fascism,”
- [48-year-old Alzheimer patient in pretrial detention for 15 months](https://turkeypurge.org/48-year-old-alzheimer-patient-pretrial-detention-15-months/) - Fatma Bektaş, a 48-year-old Izmir woman has been in pretrial detention for the past 15 months despite her medical problems including Alzheimer. Detained as part of a police raid on a Quran teaching school in Izmir on Sept 27, 2016, Bektaş spent 3 days under police custody before being put in pretrial detention on Sept
- [New gov’t decrees purge 2,756 more from state institutions, shutter another 2 TV channels](https://turkeypurge.org/new-govt-decrees-purge-2756-state-institutions-shutter-another-2-tv-channels/) - A total of 2,756 people, including 105 academics, have been dismissed from state institutions by two new government decrees, known as a KHK, that went into effect on Sunday, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. The Turkish government issued two new decrees numbered 695 and 696 under the post-coup state of emergency, which were published
- [Turkey’s post-coup prisoners now required to wear Guantanamo-style jumpsuits](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-post-coup-prisoners-now-required-wear-guantanamo-style-jumpsuits/) - People who were imprisoned over “offenses against Constitutional order” are now required to wear dusty orange and gray jumpsuits, according to the government’s latest post-coup decree, issued early Sunday. “Those behind bars who were convicted of offences against the Constitutional order and who were arrested pending trial over similar charges will be brought to the
- [New decrees grant immunity for all crimes, including murder, committed by civilians to ‘suppress July 15 coup attempt’](https://turkeypurge.org/new-decree-grant-immunity-crimes-including-murder-committed-civilians-suppress-15-july-2016-coup/) - Two new decress issued by the Turkish government on Sunday morning granted a whole scale immunity for all crimes, including murder, committed by civilians to supress a coup attempt on July 15, 2016 and “any event that is a continuation of it”. According to the decrees, numbered 695 and 696, these civilians can no longer
- [Gov’t says number of complaints over post-coup abuses at 103,276](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-says-number-complaints-post-coup-abuses-103276/) - The number of complaints filed over post-coup rights abuses hit 103,276 on Dec 22, the government-established State of Emergency (OHAL) Procedures Investigation Commission said. Nearly 147,000 people have lost their jobs since last summer as part of the government’s crackdown in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup, which targeted Turkey’s Gulen movement, Kurdish
- [[VIDEO] Cancer patient seeks whereabouts of son abducted in Turkey’s capital](https://turkeypurge.org/video-cancer-patient-seeks-whereabouts-son-abducted-turkeys-capital/) - The mother of Ümit Horzum, a dismissed public servant who was reportedly abducted from his car in Ankara earlier this month, has asked for help from officials, in a video recording. “My son has been missing since Dec 6. Where did they take my son? What did my son do? Did he kill somebody? I
- [Amid grief over jailed father, 12-year-old not responding to cancer treatment](https://turkeypurge.org/amid-grief-jailed-father-12-year-old-not-responding-cancer-treatment/) - Muhammed Eray Özkul, the 12-year-old son of the Zonguldak-based former police officer Ender Özkul who was jailed in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup, is not responding to cancer treatment, according to his mother. “The illness relapses two times during chemotherapy. The doctor calls you to his room to give you the
- [Judge couple sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/judge-couple-sentenced-6-years-3-months-jail/) - A Samsun couple, both judges who were earlier removed from their offices over alleged ties to the Gulen movement, were sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison. O.F.K. and his wife F.K. appeared in their final hearing, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Dec 20. The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges
- [Jailed journalist Ibrahim Balta loses 30 kg in past 6 months due to poor health](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-journalist-ibrahim-balta-loses-30-kg-past-6-months-due-poor-health/) - The veteran Turkish journalist Halil İbrahim Balta, who was arrested and put behind the bars after a controversial coup attempt on July 15, 2016, has reportedly overcome two serious life-critical health problems in last 15 days, however he was not allowed to meet his family. “Having been detained for 17 months, journalist Balta is not
- [Pro-Kurdish deputy warns of assassinations of exiled Erdoğan critics](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-deputy-warns-assassinations-exiled-erdogan-critics/) - Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Garo Paylan on Wednesday said he has confirmed intelligence that exiled opponents of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan including Alevi and Armenian leaders, journalists and academics will be exposed to assassination or a series of assassinations in Europe, CNNTürk reported. “I confirmed it from various sources last weekend. I
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 110 over alleged ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-110-alleged-bylock-use/) - Detention warrants have been issued for at least 110 people on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday. According to the report, as of late Wednesday, 30 of 59 suspects sought by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office and 43 of 51 people sought
- [Turkish court sentences former university rector to 8 years on terrorism charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turgut-ozal-universitys-former-rector-sentenced-8-years-prison/) - Abdulkadir Şengün, a professor of dentistry and the former rector of Turkey’s Turgut Özal University, has been sentenced to eight years, one month and 15 days in prison. Under arrest over alleged ties to the faith-based Gülen movement since Aug. 23, 2016, Şengün was sentenced on charges of membership in a terrorist organization. The sentence
- [Enes Kanter faces up to 5 years in jail for insulting Erdogan on Twitter](https://turkeypurge.org/enes-kanter-faces-5-years-jail-insulting-erdogan-twitter/) - NBA player Enes Kanter faces up to 4 years and 8 months in prison on accusations of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter. State-run Anadolu news agency said on on Dec 20 that an indictment prepared following a complaint by Erdogan’s lawyers seeks between 14 months to 56 months for Kanter. Kanter is accused
- [4-year-old boy wounded after being hit by police car in eastern Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/4-year-old-boy-wounded-hit-police-car-eastern-turkey-report/) - A 4-years-old boy, identified as Umut Ö. was wounded after a police vehicle hit him while he was playing in front of their house in Idil, Şırnak, pro-Kurdish ANF news agency said on Monday. Umut was heavily wounded after the car ran over him, and was taken to district hospital in the car that hit him. Following
- [Detention warrants issued for 106 people 20 provinces](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-106-people-turkeys-20-cities/) - Detention warrants were issued for 106 people in 20 provinces as part of an Istanbul-based investigation into the Gulen movement, on Monday. State-run Anadolu news agency said warrants were issued for 106 suspects as a result of cooperative work between Istanbul police and the National Intelligence Agency (MIT). 62 of them have been detained at
- [Ankara woman detained on coup charges hours after giving birth — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-woman-detained-coup-charges-one-day-giving-birth-claim/) - Sevim Çelik, a Turkish teacher who gave birth to a baby in Ankara on Friday, was reportedly detained later the same day over alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to the Twitter account @caapulcukiz, police came to the
- [18-year-old Kurdish detainee dies in police custody in Antalya: report](https://turkeypurge.org/18-year-old-kurdish-detainee-dies-police-custody-antalya-report/) - Turkish police claimed on Friday that Murat A., an 18-year-old Kurdish man who was detained at a checkpoint in Antalya’s Gazipaşa district, “committed suicide by jumping from a third floor window of the local police station,” the Turkish media reported. According to a report by the Diken news portal, a unit under the Gazipaşa District Gendarmerie Command
- [Gov’t selling properties of 30 media outlets seized from critics after failed coup](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-selling-properties-30-media-outlets-seized-critics-failed-coup/) - Properties belonging to 30 media outlets that the Turkish government seized under post-coup emergency rule have been put up for sale by the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). Dunya newspaper reported on Thursday that TMSF listed properties belonging 30 media outlets including several radio and TV stations and news agencies, and that bids for
- [Governor bans public events, commemorations ahead of Maras massacre’s anniversary](https://turkeypurge.org/governor-bans-public-events-commemorations-ahead-maras-massacres-anniversary/) - Kahramanmaraş governor has banned all public events, gatherings and commemorations days before the 39th anniversary of the Maras massacre. All meetings, demonstration marches, rallies, commemoration events, setting up stands and tents, press statements and similar activities were banned for a month, a statement by the governor said on Dec 15, four days before the massacre’s
- [Mother of purge-victim public servant beaten by police for protesting son’s dismissal from service](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-purge-victim-public-servant-beaten-police-protesting-sons-dismissal-service/) - Kezban Şaçılık, the septuagenarian mother of the purge-victim Turkish civil servant Veli Şaçılık, was reportedly beaten by a group of police officers for publicly protesting his son’s dismissal under post-coup emergency rule. Veli Saçılık is a former political prisoner and public servant who was sacked by government decree in the aftermath of a July 15 coup attempt in
- [Turkey issues detention warrant for wife of famed Turkish businessman](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrant-wife-famed-turkish-businessman/) - An Ankara court on Thursday issued a detention warrant for Nevin İpek, the wife of Akın İpek, a Turkish businessman who has been sought by the Turkish government over his links to the Gülen group. The Milliyet daily reported that the Ankara 24th High criminal court issued the warrant after İpek failed to appear at
- [70 including Isparta military entrance processing commander detained on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/70-including-isparta-military-entrance-processing-commander-detained-coup-charges/) - At least 70 people in 34 different Turkish provinces have been taken into custody over alleged links to the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt. According to the Cumhuriyet daily, among the detainees was Z.K.T., the military entrance processing commander of Isparta’s Yalvaç district. Z.K.T. and other detainees were reportedly taken
- [‘Urgent Democracy’ rally banned due to post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/urgent-democracy-rally-banned-due-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - Izmir governor, on Wednesday, banned the “No State of Emergency, Urgent Democracy” rally, organized by several labor unions, 10 days before it was held in the city’s iconic Gündoğdu square. The event was banned on the grounds that it may harm public order and violate others’ rights and freedoms, a statement by the governor’s office
- [CPJ: Turkey remains worst jailer of journalists in the world](https://turkeypurge.org/cpj-turkey-remains-worst-jailer-journalists-world/) - Turkey has remained the worst jailer of journalists in the world for the second consecutive year, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on Wednesday. Releasing its annual press freedom report, CPJ said: “Despite releasing some journalists in 2017, Turkey remains the world’s worst jailer for the second consecutive year, with 73 journalists behind bars,
- [39 civilians detained in simultaneous police raids in 8 provinces](https://turkeypurge.org/39-civilians-detained-simultaneous-police-raids-8-provinces/) - At least 39 people were detained in simultaneous police operations in 8 different Turkish provinces over use of a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on December 7, 2017. According to the report, the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention warrants for the thirty-nine alleged users of the
- [[VIDEO] Pro-gov’t journalist suggests killing family members of jailed Gülenists](https://turkeypurge.org/video-pro-govt-journalist-suggests-killing-family-members-jailed-gulenists/) - Journalist Cem Küçük, a staunch supporter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, suggested during a live TV program on Monday that Turkish intelligence should kill family members of jailed Gülenists in order to turn the inmates into operatives for the Erdoğan regime. Speaking during a live TV show along with his program partner journalist Fuat
- [699 people detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/699-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-ministry/) - At least 699 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 699 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Dec 4 to 11. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup
- [Pro-Kurdish party leader says part of Urfa police station turned into torture center](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-party-leader-says-part-urfa-police-station-turned-torture-center/) - İbrahim Halil Baran, chairman of the Partiya Kurdistani (PAKURD), on Monday refuted Human Rights Day remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that no massacres, oppression or torture had taken place in Turkish history, saying he was tortured during the 13 days he was in detention. “Tayyip Erdoğan said, ‘There is no torture in
- [8 including children, academics detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/8-including-children-academics-detained-way-escape-greece/) - At least 8 people were detained while they were allegedly on their way to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece, media said on Dec 10. Media said gendarmerie stopped 8 people in a prohibited military zone near Turkey’s border with Greece in the western province of Edirne. The detainees were identified as M.Y., an academic
- [HRW Turkey head says post-coup crackdown aimed at building empire of fear](https://turkeypurge.org/hrw-turkey-head-says-post-coup-crackdown-aimed-building-empire-fear/) - Human Rights Watch’s Turkey director Emma Sinclair-Webb said the government’s post-coup crackdown is aimed at establishing an empire of fear in the country. Speaking at a rights symposium in the eastern province of Diyarbakir on Monday, she said arbitrariness is the best word to describe the post-coup period in Turkey. There are detentions, arrests, dismissals
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- [İstanbul court rules for continuation of arrest of Zaman columnists](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-court-rules-continuation-arrest-zaman-columnists/) - An İstanbul court on Friday evening ruled for continuation of imprisonment of 19 journalists from now-closed Zaman daily, the P24 news portal reported. The court also ruled for the release of three advertising and sales department staff members of the Zaman media group. In the third hearing at Silivri Prison, the İstanbul 13th High Criminal
- [1,100 newly graduated medical doctors unemployed due to post-coup security checks: report](https://turkeypurge.org/1100-newly-graduated-medical-doctors-unemployed-due-post-coup-security-checks-bbc/) - The Turkish government has failed to issue licenses for at least 1,100 newly graduated medical doctors, who have still been waiting for the security/intelligence investigation to be completed after they graduated from medical school under the rule of emergency declared in the aftermath of a controversial coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According a report
- [Swedish parliamentarian says Turkish police threatened him with arrest](https://turkeypurge.org/swedish-parliamentarian-says-turkish-police-threatened-arrest/) - Swedish parliamentarian Jonas Sjöstedt said that Turkish police threatened him with arrest in Ankara, where he attempted to monitor the trial of jailed pro-Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas on Thursday. The chairman of the Sweden’s Left Party said he was prevented from attending Demirtas’s hearing as an observer, and police threatened him with arrest in case
- [Rights groups say 2,278 people tortured, 11 abducted in Turkey in 2017](https://turkeypurge.org/rights-groups-say-2278-tortured-11-abducted-turkey-2017/) - The Human Rights Association (İHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) said on Saturday that 2,278 people were tortured and 11 abducted in Turkey during the first 11 months of 2017, according to Gazeteduvar. Releasing a human rights report under an ongoing state of emergency, the IHD and TİHV noted that human rights violations
- [Suspended policeman reportedly dies while working as construction worker](https://turkeypurge.org/suspended-policeman-reportedly-dies-working-construction-worker/) - Lokman Keleş, a Konya-based police officer who was suspended as part of the government’s post-coup purge of state institutions, died after falling from a building under construction, the last resort for him to make ends meet according to people familiar with his situation. “Police officer Lokman Keleş, who was suspended due to false accusations, passed
- [Press groups say ECHR’s role gaining importance for Turkey’s post-coup victims](https://turkeypurge.org/press-groups-say-echrs-role-gaining-importance-turkeys-post-coup-victims/) - Journalists and writers’ associations from across the world has said in a joint statement Thursday that the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) role in ensuring justice for Turkey’s post-coup victims “has become ever more important.” “…considering the many fair trial violations, we have observed throughout our trial monitoring as well as the many other human
- [New report shows Turkey’s purge ruined lives of 21,000 health care workers](https://turkeypurge.org/new-report-shows-turkeys-purge-ruined-lives-21000-health-care-workers/) - More than 21,000 health care professionals including doctors, nurses, medical professors, technicians and hospital staff have thus far been dismissed from public and private hospitals as well as medical schools and associations in Turkey as part of a crackdown on perceived critics of the government, research by the Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF) has revealed.
- [Turkey detains 17 for ‘providing US with information’ for Zarrab case](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-17-providing-us-information-zarrab-case/) - Turkish police on Tuesday detained at least 17 more people who allegedly sent documents to the US for the ongoing Reza Zarrab case in New York, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the report police sources said three of the suspects had been previously detained, and the remainder were taken into custody on
- [Turkey seizes US witness Reza Zarrab’s private jet, yacht](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seizes-us-witness-reza-zarrabs-private-jet-yacht/) - Turkey has seized a private jet and a luxury yacht owned by Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab as part of the government’s latest response to the businessman’s guilty plea in a US trial that implicated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close circle. Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered seizure of a $58-million Challenger 300 jet belonging to
- [Court rules to keep pro-Kurdish opposition leader Selahattin Demirtaş behind bars](https://turkeypurge.org/court-rules-keep-pro-kurdish-opposition-leader-selahattin-demirtas-behind-bars/) - An Ankara court ruled on Thursday to keep pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party’s co-chair (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş behind bars. During the first hearing of the case, opened on charges of leading a terrorist organization, Demirtaş failed to appear before the court as he refused to give his defense through the voice and video informatics system (SEGBIS).
- [Teacher couple gets 7 year in jail over Gulen links](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-couple-gets-7-year-jail-gulen-links/) - A Sanliurfa couple, both teachers who were removed from their government jobs over alleged ties to the Gulen movement, was given 6 years, 10 months and 22 days in jail. State-run Anadolu news agency reported on Dec 4 that O.K. and his wife Y.K. was given each 6 years, 10 months plus 22 days jail
- [Yet another woman faces detention just after birth at hospital](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-woman-faces-detention-just-birth-hospital/) - Turkish police are waiting at Kahramanmaras Hayat Hospital to detain Ş.G., who just gave birth to her first baby, over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of mounting a botched coup attempt last summer, an opposition deputy tweeted on Dec 5. Sezgin Tanrıkulu, a deputy from the main
- [School principal detained for insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/school-principal-detained-insulting-erdogan/) - The principal of a secondary Imam Hatip school in Kutahya province, identified by his/her initials A.Ş., was detained for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Media reported Monday that police stopped A.Ş.’s car for exceeding the speed limit near Boluce neighborhood and fined him/her TL206 [$55]. During a brawl that erupted after he/she was fined,
- [Mysterious note left at CHP office’s door threatens: You’ll pay for it, traitors!](https://turkeypurge.org/mysterious-note-left-chp-offices-door-threatens-youll-pay-traitors/) - The main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) local branch in Ankara’s Etimesgut district has received a threatening note left at its door: You will pay for what you have done, you atheist traitors! The note was found attached at the door of the CHP’s Etimesgut district office and party members called the police to report
- [Turkey’s former top scorer Zafer Biryol re-detained in post-coup investigation](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-former-top-scorer-zafer-biryol-re-detained-post-coup-investigation/) - Zafer Biryol, a former top scorer at Turkey’s national football league was re-detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen group, several media outlets reported on Wednesday. The footballer turned soccer coach was detained at Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, media said. Biryol was initially detained by police two weeks ago and then released after
- [Turkey jails solyayin.com editor-in-chief, closes down website on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/solyayin-com-editor-chief-arrested-website-closed-terror-charges/) - Emin Şakir, editor-in-chief of the solyayin.com archiving website, has been arrested by a Turkish court and sent to the Maltepe prison in İstanbul, according to Cumhuriyet daily. Şakir is reportedly accused of terror charges. Solyayin.com is a leftist archaving website which contained primary source documents regarding the socialist and leftist movements establlished throughout the history of the republic of
- [Turkey’s national folk dancers seek asylum in Hungary after attending dance contest](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-national-folk-dancers-seek-asylum-hungary-attending-dance-contest/) - Eleven Turkish folk dancers have reportedly sought asylum in Hungary after attending a dance contest in the country, Doğan News Agency reported on Dec. 5. A group of 16 dancers from the Ankara Kent Child and Youth Folk Dances Association reportedly left Turkey several days ago in order to participate in a folk dance contest in
- [Trial for peace signatory academics begins in İstanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/trial-peace-declaration-academics-begins-istanbul/) - More than 150 Turkish academics are ready to appear before an İstanbul court on Tuesday for signing a peace declaration in early 2016 criticizing the Turkish government for its violation of human rights and civilian casualties among the predominantly Kurdish population of eastern Turkey. The academics face terrorism charges and could receive jail terms of
- [Turkey detains US witness Reza Zarrab’s three employees in Istanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-us-witness-reza-zarrabs-three-employees-istanbul/) - Three employees of Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab were detained as part of the Turkish government’s latest response to the businessman’s guilty plea in a US trial that implicated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close circle. Zarrab’s employees Sinem Arslan, Regaip Akol and Mustafa Hacısalihoğlu were rounded up at Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, Hurriyet daily newspaper
- [Journalist Mehmet Baransu remains arrested following court hearing](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-mehmet-baransu-remains-arrested-following-court-hearing/) - An İstanbul court on Monday ruled to keep in prison former Taraf daily journalist Mehmet Baransu, who was jailed in March 2015 after he revealed an alleged government plan to “eliminate the Gülen movement” based on a secret document he published in 2013, the T24 news website reported. According to the report, Baransu said he
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- [Gov’t trustee shuts down Kurdish-language audio library for disabled children](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-trustee-shuts-kurdish-language-audio-library-disabled-children/) - A Kurdish-language audio library, opened specifically for disabled children in 2014, has been shut down after the government seized the administration of the Diyarbakir Municipality over terror charges. Diyarbakir Municipality’s Social Services Unit established a web portal for the audio library where children’s stories were available to be listened in Kurmanji, Dimilki and Sorani dialects
- [Main opposition lawmaker faces life in prison in retrial for espionage charges](https://turkeypurge.org/main-opposition-lawmaker-faces-life-prison-retrial-espionage-charges/) - A prosecutor on Friday demanded a life sentence in an İstanbul court for main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Enis Berberoğlu for leaking information to journalists for a report on National Intelligence Organization (MİT) trucks transporting weapons to rebels in Syria, CNN Türk reported. The court also ruled to close the proceedings in Berberoğlu’s
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- [Archeologist, dismissed in post-coup purge, opens grocery store for a living](https://turkeypurge.org/archeologist-dismissed-post-coup-purge-opens-grocery-store-living/) - Heval Bozay, a teaching assistant at Nevsehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University’s Archeology department until he was dismissed by a government decree issued under post-coup emergency rule last year, is now earning his keep by operating a grocery store. Graduated from the Istanbul University’s archeology department, Bozay also holds a master degree from the same faculty.
- [Father of three released only after wife died following heart attack](https://turkeypurge.org/father-three-released-wife-died-following-heart-attack/) - Engin Öztürk, a father of three who spent 15 months behind bars over his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, has been released only after his wife, Vina Öztürk passed away following a heart attack. Engin was the sole breadwinner of the Öztürk family until he was jailed in an Antalya prison 15 months ago.
- [85 more military officers arrested on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/85-military-officers-arrested-coup-charges-report/) - A total of eighty-five military officers were arrested in separate operations targeting Turkey’s Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt. According to the Cumhuriyet daily, the suspects from were arrested as part of an investigation carried out by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. They are accused of being linked
- [Turkey issues arrest warrant for former CIA official Fuller](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-arrest-warrant-former-cia-official-fuller/) - The İstanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for former CIA official Graham Fuller as part of an investigation into a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, Hurriyet reported. According to the report Fuller is accused of “attempting to overthrow the government, attempting to subvert the work of the government,
- [230,735 arrestees in Turkish prisons, ministry says](https://turkeypurge.org/230735-arrestees-turkish-prisons-ministry-says/) - There are at least 230,735 people who were arrested and put behind bars in prisons across Turkey, according to the Justice Ministry. In response to a parliamentary question by the opposition deputy Gamze Ilgezdi, the ministry said 230,735 arrestees were recorded to be in Turkish prisons as of Nov 1, 2017. The corresponding number was
- [Zarrab case in US further imperils 1 million Gülenists, family members in Turkey: AK Party deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/zarrab-case-us-imperils-1-million-gulenists-family-members-turkey-ak-party-deputy/) - Former speechwriter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and current ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Aydın Ünal on Monday threatened Gülen movement people in Turkey, saying tougher days lie ahead as a result of a case against Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian gold trader who was arrested in Miami in March 2016 on
- [Former AK Party deputy gets 6 years in prison on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/former-ak-party-deputy-gets-6-years-prison-coup-charges/) - Former Justice and Development Party (AKP) Yalova deputy Şükrü Önder has been given 6 years, 3 months prison sentence over alleged membership to Turkey’s Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to the T24 news portal, a Yalova high criminal court made the ruling with Önder’s use
- [Turkish police to use ‘German model’ in fight against Gülenists: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-use-german-model-fight-gulenists/) - The Turkish National Police Academy has published a new report that offers a comprehensive road map to fight against the members of the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. According to pro-Erdoğan daily Sabah, prosecutors, judges, police academy academics, financiers and undersecretaries were recommended methods, including the “German
- [Another woman detained on coup charges one day after giving birth — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/another-woman-detained-coup-charges-one-day-giving-birth-claim/) - Fatma Türkmen, who gave birth to a baby in Ankara on Monday, was reportedly detained on Tuesday over alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to the Twitter account @Odak2014, police came to the hospital several hours after Türkmen gave
- [Prominent Turkish academic Fikret Başkaya detained in Ankara](https://turkeypurge.org/prominent-turkish-academic-fikret-baskaya-detained-ankara/) - Fikret Başkaya, a professor of Economic Development and International Relations was detained following a police raid against his home in Ankara on Monday. The 77-year-old academic and the author of several books was caught by Ankara police. While the charges raised against him were unknown at the time of this writing, media said police detained
- [Hunger striking educator remains under arrest following court hearing](https://turkeypurge.org/hunger-striking-educator-remains-arrest-following-court-hearing/) - An Ankara court rejected the prosecutor in charge’s request for the release of Nuriye Gülmen, a former teacher who launched a hunger strike after being removed from the job as part of the government’s post-coup purge. Under arrest over terror charges since late May, this year, Gülmen was ordered to remain behind bars until the
- [Turkey’s national intel established special unit to go after Gülen supporters abroad: state-run news agency](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-national-intel-established-special-unit-go-gulen-supporters-abroad-state-run-news-agency/) - Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MIT) has set up a special unit to track down the overseas supporters of the movement, the state-run Anadolu news agency confirmed on Monday. “MIT [Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency] established a special unit for FETÖ members who are already based abroad or who have fled Turkey,” Anadolu said. In a reported
- [Chief physician at Kirsehir hospital jailed over alleged ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/chief-physician-kirsehir-hospital-jailed-alleged-bylock-use/) - The chief physician of the Akpınar State Hospital in Kirsehir province, identified only by his initials C.K., has been caught and put in pretrial detention over his alleged use of ByLock. State-run Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday that police detained C.K. at his home in Ankara as part of a Kirsehir-based investigation into the
- [LGBT event at Istanbul’s Taksim Square banned](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-district-bans-lgtb-event-taksim-square/) - Istanbul’s Beyoglu district governorship, on Friday, banned a film screening event, organized by a local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, the day before it started at the city’s central quarter of Taksim Square. “The LGBTI+ themed meeting, march, film screening and interview events that will take place on Nov. 25 in Beyoglu district
- [Turkey’s ‘Ministry of Truth’ in action: Drowned teacher’s accomplishment record removed](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-ministry-of-truth-in-action-drowned-teachers-accomplishment-record-removed/) - Turkey’s Education Ministry has made a “necessary falsification” on its records shortly after a devoted physics teacher, removed from his job in the government’s post-coup purge, drowned along with his family while fleeing further persecution to Greece. Huseyin Maden, a 40-year-old educator in Kastamonu province until he was dismissed by a government’s post-coup emergency decree,
- [Alevis worried as 13 houses marked with crosses in Turkey’s Malatya province](https://turkeypurge.org/alevis-worried-13-houses-marked-crosses-turkeys-malatya-province/) - Members of the Alevi community in Turkey’s Malatya province have voiced concern after at least thirteen of their houses were allegedly marked with red cross by unknown people. Red crosses marked with red paint were spotted on the outside walls and doors of several households belonging to Alevi people in the Cemal Gürsel neighbourhood of Malatya.
- [78 alleged ByLock users detained, 21 others still wanted](https://turkeypurge.org/78-alleged-bylock-users-detained-21-others-still-wanted/) - Detention warrants were issued for 99 people in Antalya province on Thursday on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the report police have detained 78 of 99 suspects as part of an investigation launched by the Antalya Public Prosecutor’s Office into the
- [Purge-victim teacher passes away following heart attack](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-teacher-passes-away-following-heart-attack/) - Kazim Ünlü, a former teacher who was removed from his job in the government’s post-coup purge of state institutions and an executive at Turkey’s main educators’ union, Egitim Sen has passed away following a heart attack. According to Evrensel daily newspaper on Thursday, Ünlü died of a heart attack at his father’s place in Elazig. Ünlü
- [Imprisoned journalist Oğuz Usluer given forced haircut in prison: opposition](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-journalist-oguz-usluer-given-forced-haircut-prison-opposition/) - Wardens at İstanbul’s Silivri prison reportedly forced Oğuz Usluer, a former news coordinator at HaberTurk TV who has been behind bars since Dec 28, 2016, to get a haircut against his will, according to main opposition Republican Peoples’ Partty (CHP) deputy Baris Yarkadas. “According to information we obtained today, Haberturk editor Oguz Usluer had his
- [Dismissed public servants not allowed to work as private security guards, report says](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-public-servants-not-allowed-work-private-security-guards-report-says/) - People who were removed from their jobs with the government’s post-coup emergency decrees are not allowed to work as private security guards, according to pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper. “The names of 101,639 people who were dismissed [from the state institutions] have been blacklisted at the Private Security Information System’s module. These people will be directly
- [Offensive graffiti sprayed on historic church in central Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/offensive-graffiti-sprayed-historic-church-central-turkey/) - Intimidating paintings have been sprayed on the walls of the historic St Theodoros Trion Church in Turkey’s central Anatolian province of Nevsehir. “The priest is not in, he has gone to the mosque!” read the offensive slogan on the church’s walls, Haberturk daily reported on Nov 19. A dog figure was also painted on the
- [Alleged Bylock user caught when involved in traffic accident](https://turkeypurge.org/alleged-bylock-user-caught-involved-traffic-accident/) - A former tax inspector who was earlier removed from his job over alleged ties to the Gulen movement was detained after he was involved in a minor traffic accident. The 37-year-old man, identified as O.A., was caught in Eskisehir when police, dispatched to the accident scene, noticed that he has already been under an Izmir-based
- [Report exposes death from torture of Turkish teacher in police custody](https://turkeypurge.org/report-exposes-death-torture-turkish-teacher-police-custody/) - A new report from the Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF) titled “Tortured to Death” exposes the case of 42-year-old history teacher Gökhan Açıkkollu, who died after enduring 13 days of torture and abuse in police detention in İstanbul. The report details every day he was kept in custody, where he was repeatedly beaten by his
- [Turkey detains 331 more soldiers on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-331-soldiers-coup-charges-report/) - Police have detained at least 331 Turkish soldiers in Tekirdağ province in Turkey’s Marmara region as part of an investigation into the Gülen group, which Turkish authorities blame for a failed coup last year. According to the Hürriyet daily, a Tekirdağ court has recently issued detention warrants for 331 soldiers as part of an investigation
- [Purge-victim family drowns in the Aegean Sea off Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/purge-victim-family-drown-aegean-sea-off-turkey-report/) - A Turkish family of five has reportedly drowned after a boat capsized in the Aegean Sea, off the western coast of Turkey, according to several Turkish media outlets. The victims have reportedly been sought by the Turkish government over their links to the Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt in July 15, 2016.
- [Journalist Oğuz Güven sentenced to 3 years in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-oguz-guven-sentenced-3-years-jail/) - Cumhuriyet daily’s website editor Oğuz Güven was given 3 years and 1 month jail time on two separate terror charges on Tuesday. Arrested in May due to a tweet on the newspaper’s Twitter account regarding the death of Denizli Chief Public Prosecutor Mustafa Alper, who was killed in a car accident in the southwestern province
- [22 dismissed public servants open restaurant in Diyarbakır](https://turkeypurge.org/22-dismissed-public-servants-open-restaurant-diyarbakir/) - A group of public servants who were fired from their jobs with decrees issued by the Turkish gov’t in the aftermath of last year’s coup attempt, has opened a restaurant in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. According to the Haberdar news portal, the 22 purge-victim public servants who were fired several days after the coup attempt
- [666 people detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/666-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-ministry/) - At least 666 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 666 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement between Oct 13-20. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt while
- [Mother of three suffers heart attack as husband under arrest for 15 months](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-three-suffers-heart-attack-husband-arrest-15-months/) - Rana Ozturk, a mother of three children and the wife of Engin Ozturk who has been under arrest for 15 months over alleged ties to the Gulen movement, suffered a heart attack, media reported on Nov 18. Engin, a former employee of the now-defunct International Antalya University, was the sole breadwinner of the Ozturk family
- [Gülen’s former lawyer sentenced to 12 years in jail](https://turkeypurge.org/gulens-former-lawyer-sentenced-12-years-jail/) - Feti Ün, an Izmir lawyer who represented Fethullah Gulen from 1990 to 1994, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of membership to a terrorist organization. The court in charge initially ruled for 8-year jail time and then increased the imprisonment by half to 12 years in compliance with the anti-terror laws. Under
- [40-day-old baby, mother under police custody for 4 days: opposition deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/40-day-old-baby-mother-police-custody-4-days-opposition-deputy/) - A Turkish woman who gave birth to her baby 40 days ago, has been kept under police custody along with her newborn over the past four days, according to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu. “Today marks UN’s Childrens’ Rights Day; D.B. and her 40 days old baby, named Ömer, have been
- [Istanbul prosecutor launches investigation against Preet Bharara, Joon H. Kim, others](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-prosecutor-opens-investigation-preetbharara-joon-h-kim-others/) - The Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Joon H. Kim, former SDNY Attorney Preet Bharara, and some others who are involved in the prosecution of the Turkish Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab. The investigation was launched on the grounds that
- [Heart attack strikes Kırklareli electrician jailed on coup charges — claim](https://turkeypurge.org/heart-attack-strikes-kirklareli-electrician-jailed-coup-charges-claim/) - Birol Kay, an electrician who was arrested in early August 2016 on coup charges, was allegedly rushed to the hospital with a heart attack on Thursday. A social media user with the username “@demokrat342” on Thursday took to Twitter to claim that Kaywho has been held in a prison in Edirne for the past 15 months,
- [Turkey’s former top scorer Zafer Biryol detained in post-coup investigation](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-former-top-scorer-detained-post-coup-investigation/) - Zafer Biryol, a former top scorer at Turkey’s national football league was detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement early Friday. The footballer turned soccer coach was detained at Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, media said. Biryol scored 25 goals in 34 matches he showed up under Konyaspor jersey and was honored the
- [Turkish police raid university, detain 42 academics, staff on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-raid-university-detain-42-academics-staff-coup-charges/) - Turkish police on Friday detained 22 former and current academics and staff members at İstanbul-based Marmara University as part of an investigation into the Gülen group, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the report the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention warrants for 42 academics and staff at the university on accusations
- [Turkish court rules for ‘bankruptcy’ of Gülen-linked Bank Asya](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-rules-bankruptcy-gulen-linked-bank-asya/) - The Commercial Court of First Instance in Istanbul ruled late Friday for the bankruptcy of Gülen-linked Bank Asya, which had its banking license cancelled after the last year’s coup attempt. In the aftermath of a failed military coup attempt on July 15, 2016, the Turkish government closed down Bank Asya on the grounds that it
- [Court rules for continuation of 81-year-old’s imprisonment on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/court-rules-continuation-81-year-olds-imprisonment-coup-charges/) - The Manisa High Criminal Court has, one more time, ruled for continuation of the imprisonment of an 81-year-old Turkish man with walking and speaking difficulties, several Turkish media outlets reported. According to information provided by family members, Mustafa Türk is confined with 28 others in a prison cell with a capacity for 14. The man, named Mustafa Türk, was
- [Swiss-Turkish national caught while on way to escape to Greece: report](https://turkeypurge.org/swiss-turkish-national-caught-way-escape-greece-report/) - A 37-year-old Swiss-Turkish national, identified with his initials E.D., was remanded in prison after he was detained upon a complaint that he was preparing to escape to Greece. Media reported that E.D. was caught preparing for an illegal departure from Turkey’s resort quarter of Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos. An arrest warrant was
- [Bitcoin a secret communication tool used by Gulenists: pro-gov’t columnist](https://turkeypurge.org/bitcoin-secret-communication-tool-used-gulenists-pro-govt-columnist/) - Pro-government Yeni Akit newspaper columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak alleged that Bitcoin is a secret communication tool used by followers of the Gulen movement. His claim came in response to public outrage over Turkish government’s jailing of thousands of people for simply using a messaging app, ByLock. “Let’s us keep in mind that these FETO supporters have
- [60-year-old Turkish villager detained after questioning gov’t coup narrative](https://turkeypurge.org/60-year-old-turkish-villager-detained-questioning-govt-coup-narrative/) - Murat Gulen, a 60-year-old villager and a relative of Fethullah Gulen was detained after he was revealed questioning the government’s narrative over the July 15, 2016 coup attempt during a video interview by the pro-government Ihlas News Agency. On Thursday, Ihlas published the video recording, filmed in Fethullah Gulen’s hometown of Korucuk village, and media
- [Mother of baby with congenital heart defect arrested on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/mother-baby-congenital-heart-defect-arrested-coup-charges/) - A social media user with the username “@sercancan32151” on Tuesday took to Twitter to claim that the woman in the photo above has recently been arrested and sent to a Turkish prison on coup charges. According to the twitter user, the woman had a baby with congenital heart defect. His husband is also claimed to have been
- [Ankara Governor’s Office bans LGBT film festival: report](https://turkeypurge.org/ankara-governors-office-bans-lgbt-film-festival-report/) - The German LGBT Film Days which was due to run tomorrow in Turkish Capital Ankara, has been banned by the Ankara Governor’s Office over “possible incitement of hatred and hostility among people”. According to Turkish media, the festival, scheduled to be held on 16-17 November in Ankara, has been cancelled after the governor’s office received
- [University of Oslo grants Human Rights Award to purge-victim academic](https://turkeypurge.org/university-oslo-grants-human-rights-award-purge-victim-academic/) - The University of Oslo (UIO) has granted the 2017 Human Rights Award to Turkish academic and activist Professor İştar Gözaydın for her efforts towards freedoms and human rights in Turkey. Professor Gözaydın, who spent some four months in prison after last year’s coup attempt in Turkey, told UIO’s Uniforma newspaper that she was honored by the
- [30 detained for ‘insulting’ wife of pro-Erdogan TV presenter](https://turkeypurge.org/30-detained-insulting-wife-pro-erdogan-tv-presenter/) - İstanbul police detain at least 30 people for insulting Şeyma Subaşı, the wife of Turkey’s one of the richest and well-known TV presenters, Acun Ilıcalı. The suspects are accused of systematically insulting Subaşı on Instagram and Twitter. Ilıcalı is known for his close relations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His wife is criticized widely due to
- [9 including Turkish actor arrested on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/9-including-turkish-actor-arrested-coup-charges-report/) - Ömer Pekin, a Turkish radio presenter and actor, has reportedly been arrested over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which the government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. Along with Pekin, 8 other actors were also sent to prion on similar charges. According to several Turkish media outlets, Pekin, who was detained by police
- [586 people detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/586-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-ministry/) - At least 586 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 586 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement in between Oct 6 to 13. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [10 detained over social media posts in Ankara](https://turkeypurge.org/10-detained-social-media-posts-ankara/) - Ten people were detained on Monday morning in Ankara as part of an operation into social media launched by the Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office, the T24 news website reported. According to the report, Evren Çevik, foreign relations bureau member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), is among the detainees, who were accused of disseminating
- [Head of Progressive Lawyers’ Association arrested on terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/head-progressive-lawyers-association-arrested-terror-charges/) - A Turkish court remanded in prison the president of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), Selçuk Kozağaçlı, on Monday. He was jailed on charges of membership to a terrorist organization. Kozağaçlı is the lawyer for famed Turkish educators Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who started a hunger strike in order to protest their dismissal under state of emergency
- [15-year-old girl to be removed from foster family over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/15-year-old-girl-removed-foster-family-gulen-links/) - A 15-year-old girl, identified only by her given name Sevgi, has been ordered to be separated from her foster family as her adoptive father has been briefly arrested over alleged ties to the Gulen movement. Adopted when she was only 5 years old, Sevgi now faces going back to the Gumushane orphanage she left 10
- [Imprisoned Turkish businessman Kavala: Justice will prevail sooner or later](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-turkish-businessman-kavala-justice-will-prevail-sooner-later/) - One of Turkey’s most prominent businessmen and the chairman of İstanbul-based Anadolu Kültür Association, Osman Kavala, has voiced his anticipation that “justice will prevail sooner or later” in his comments on his recent arrest by Turkey. Releasing a statement through his lawyers, Kavala acknowledged messages of support from the country and abroad. “Messages of support coming from
- [Jailed coup suspect’s brother arrested as well](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-coup-suspects-brother-arrested-well/) - Prime coup suspect Kemal Batmaz’s brother Sakir Batmaz was put in pretrial on terror charges. State-run Anadolu news agency said on Friday that Sakir Batmaz is accused of being an alleged Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO) leader. Dismissed from Kayseri’s Erciyes University a professor of contemporary history, Batmaz earlier spent some time behind bars on charges
- [Pro-gov’t journalist: US soldiers, diplomats to be executed in case of second coup attempt](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-journo-us-soldiers-diplomats-executed-case-second-coup-attempt/) - The US soldiers and diplomats in Turkey and elsewhere will be executed by “revenge teams” in case of a second coup attempt in the country, pro-government journalist Fatih Tezcan tweeted Wednesday. “If the US attempts to carry out a military coup in Turkey one more time and kills people, police and military officers, nobody will
- [Two Turkish nationals, abducted from plane in Kazakhstan, returned to Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/two-turkish-nationals-abducted-plane-kazakhstan-returned-turkey-report/) - Enver Kılıç and Zabit Kişi, the two Turkish nationals who were abducted from a plane in Kazakhstan in mid-September turn out to have been forcedly returned to Turkey and taken into custody, according to media. Aktif Haber online news portal said on Nov 9 that the two are being held under custody in Turkey. The
- [22,000 public servants, families forced to declare social media accounts: report](https://turkeypurge.org/22000-public-servants-families-forced-declare-social-media-accounts/) - Turkey’s State Hydraulic Works (DSI), the agency responsible for national water resources has asked its employees to declare their social media accounts as well as their families’, according to Swedish media outlet Arbetet. The article, titled “Turkish Surveillance Invades Social Media Privacy,” said DSI’s 22,000 employees were asked to list the social media accounts used
- [1,059 Turkish nationals claimed asylum in Germany in October](https://turkeypurge.org/1059-turkish-nationals-claimed-asylum-germany-october/) - The number of Turkish citizens who fled Turkey following a failed coup last year and applied for asylum in Germany in October totals 1,059, Deutsche Welle said on Thursday. According to a Deutsche Welle report on Thursday, the German Interior Ministry said the number of Turkish refugee claimants in Germany was 1,059 in October. The corresponding number
- [Berlin theatre group cancels Istanbul performance fearing arrest of staff](https://turkeypurge.org/berlin-theater-group-cancels-istanbul-performance-fearing-arrest/) - The Berliner Schaubühne theater has scrapped an upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Richard III in Istanbul, fearing arrest of its staff, on Tuesday. “The arrests of many journalists, scientists and human rights activists in recent weeks and months,” as well as security concerns, were behind the decision, Deutsche Welle cited a press statement by the theater
- [WATCH: Emotional reunion of son, journalist father after 174 days in Turkish prison](https://turkeypurge.org/watch-emotional-reunion-son-journalist-father-174-days-turkish-prison/) - When a 15-year-old boy finally got to see his imprisoned journalist father again, cameras were rolling, and so were the tears. Five months ago, his father Gökmen Ulu, a reporter for Turkey’s Sözcü daily, was put in pre-trial detention. After all their time apart, the father was released on pending trial on Wednesday, The reunion between the
- [Briefly detained teacher blacklisted, denied notary service to sell car](https://turkeypurge.org/briefly-detained-teacher-blacklisted-denied-notary-service-sell-car/) - An Ardahan teacher who was removed from his/her job and later detained for four days has turned out to be blacklisted on state records as he was denied notary service to sell his/her car. According to Hurriyet daily newspaper, H.A. was dismissed from job as a teacher over alleged ties to the Gulen movement like thousands
- [Coup suspect stripped naked, private parts exposed to former subordinates: witness](https://turkeypurge.org/coup-suspect-stripped-naked-private-parts-exposed-former-subordinate-witness/) - A number of Turkish military officers including former Air Forces Commander Akın Öztürk were exposed to torture, severe treatment and corporal punishment by security officers along with privates after the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, According to an article written by Turkish journalist Cevheri Güven titled “Game in a Sports Hall in Ankara,”
- [Dormitory manager gets 9-year jail sentence over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/dormitory-manager-gets-9-year-jail-sentence-gulen-links/) - A dormitory manager in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, identified by his initials M.G., was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Nov 7. M.G., the last manager of a Gaziantep dormitory, established by the followers of the Gulen movement and shut down by the government in the aftermath of the
- [Court of appeals approves 6-month sentence for Turkish fashion designer](https://turkeypurge.org/court-appeals-approves-6-month-sentence-turkish-fashion-designer/) - The İstanbul Regional Court of Justice has approved a 6 month, 20 day prison sentence for Turkish fashion designer Barbaros Şansal, several Turkish media outlets reported on Wednesday. The appeal made by Şansal’s lawyer right after İstanbul 43rd Court of Justice handed down a 6 month, 20 day prison sentence for Şansal in early June, has been finalized
- [osmankavala.org goes online: Everything you need to know about jailed businessman Osman Kavala](https://turkeypurge.org/osmankavala-org-goes-online-everything-need-know-jailed-businessman-osman-kavala/) - A website has recently been set up for one of Turkey’s most prominent businessmen and the chairman of İstanbul-based Anadolu Kültür Association, Osman Kavala, who was put in pretrial detention on November 1 after spending two weeks under police custody. The website — osmankavala.org — contains reports that have appeared in different Turkish media outlets and some social activities
- [[BREAKING] Turkish police detain president of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association](https://turkeypurge.org/breaking-turkish-police-detain-president-progressive-lawyers-association/) - Turkish police have detained president of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), Selçuk Kozağaçlı, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. Kozağaçlı is the lawyer for famed Turkish educators Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who started a hunger strike in order to protest their dismissal under state of emergency decree-laws issued after a failed coup in Turkey last year. Özakça tweeted
- [2,274 schools closed down on coup charges to date: education minister](https://turkeypurge.org/2274-schools-closed-coup-charges-date-education-minister/) - A total of 2,274 educational institutions have been closed over their allged or real links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, according to Education Minister İsmet Yılmaz. Speaking to the state-run Anadolu news agency, Yılmaz said that the fight against Gülenists will continue until “the
- [Gov’t grants poverty certificate to purge-victim businessman after seizing his company](https://turkeypurge.org/wife-purge-victim-businessman-granted-poverty-certificate/) - Taner Nakıboğlu, the owner of government-seized Naksan Holding, a Turkey-based packing company, said during a hearing on Tuesday that before his company was confiscated, he was the richest businessmen in Gaziantep province; yet his family now lives on the breadline. “I once owned Europe’s biggest packing company. And I was the richest businessman in Gaziantep.
- [674 detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/674-detained-gulen-links-past-week/) - At least 674 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 674 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement in between Oct 30 to Nov 6. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15,
- [9 dismissed civil servants detained while on way to escape Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/9-dismissed-civil-servants-detained-way-escape-turkey/) - Nine people were detained in Turkey’s western province of Mugla while they were on their way to escape to the Greece, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Nov 4. Anadolu said the detainees had outstanding arrest warrants, earlier issued over their alleged use of ByLock. ByLock is a controversial, encrypted mobile app that Turkish government believes to
- [Imprisoned businessman says arrested just after being targeted by Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-businessman-says-arrested-just-targeted-erdogan/) - Jailed businessman and civil activist Osman Kavala said his imprisonment came just after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s words, implying that the judiciary ruled under pressure. “Just like the human rights defenders at Buyukada were targeted by the President Erdogan, I was arrested following Erdogan’s words,” Kavala told Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) deputies Veli Agbaba and
- [Brig. General, jailed over coup charges, dies before indictment is prepared](https://turkeypurge.org/brig-general-jailed-coup-charges-dies-indictment-prepared/) - Manisa province’s Garrison Commander Brigadier General Yavuz Ekrem Arslan, under arrest over coup charges since July 19, 2016, has passed away at a hospital before seeing an indictment is prepared against him. Jailed only 4 days after the last year’s failed military coup, Arslan spent 259 days in a prison before being taken to the
- [Police seize passport of Communist party leader at İstanbul airport](https://turkeypurge.org/police-seize-passport-of-communist-party-leader-at-istanbul-airport/) - The passport of Erkan Baş, chairman of the People’s Communist Party of Turkey (HTKP), was seized by Turkish police at an İstanbul airport on Sunday, Sputnik reported. According to the report Baş arrived at İstanbul Atatürk Airport in the morning for a flight to Moscow to participate the 100th anniversary celebration of the October Revolution.
- [HRW: Arrest of civil society leader in Turkey arbitrary, punitive](https://turkeypurge.org/hrw-arrest-civil-society-leader-turkey-arbitrary-punitive/) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday reacted to the arrest of civil activist and businessman Osman Kavala by a Turkish court, calling it an example of the politicized and arbitrary nature of Turkey’s justice system. Kavala was arrested on Wednesday on charges of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order” and “attempting to remove the government
- [Award-winning judge Murat Arslan remains behind bars following court decision](https://turkeypurge.org/award-winning-judge-murat-arslan-remain-behind-bars-following-court-decision/) - An Ankara court has ruled to continue already a-year-long imprisonment of Murat Arslan, the last chairman of Turkey’s Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV) who was awarded with the 2017 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Arslan is accused of, among others, helping the followers of the Gulen movement
- [Opposition deputy being investigated for calling Erdoğan ‘a fascist dictator’](https://turkeypurge.org/opposition-deputy-investigated-calling-erdogan-fascist-dictator/) - Bülent Tezcan, deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is being investigated after he called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a “fascist dictator,” Turkish media reported. The Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday launched the investigation after Hüseyin Aydın, a lawyer for Erdoğan, filed a criminal complaint against the CHP’s Tezcan for the “crime of
- [Municipal worker commits suicide following investigation over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/municipal-worker-commits-suicide-following-investigation-gulen-links/) - Irfan Bayar, a municipal worker in Kastamonu and a former soldier who was wounded in a clash with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 1997, committed suicide after an investigation was launched against him for sending his kid to a private school affiliated with the Gülen movement. According to media on Thursday, Republican Peoples’
- [Anonymous witnesses fail to identify suspects they earlier tipped off as Gulenist](https://turkeypurge.org/anonymous-witnesses-fail-identify-145-suspects-earlier-tipped-off-gulenist/) - An anonymous witness in Denizli failed to identify any of the 145 suspects, earlier accused of being followers of the Gulen movement, during a court hearing on Oct. 30. The secret witness, called Aslan, told during the court appearance that he doesn’t know the suspects by name but that he is sure about their affiliations
- [TURKEY PURGE IN PAST 30 DAYS: 3,158 detained, 1127 jailed over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-purge-past-30-days-3158-detained-1127-jailed-coup-charges/) - A huge cleansing of Turkey’s state and other institutions is continuing as people from all walks of life find themselves being hunted down and taken into custody. At least 3158 people were detained, with 1127 of them put in pre-trial detention in operations targeting Turkey’s Kurdish minority, and the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses
- [Cumhuriyet daily journalists to remain in jail following Tuesday hearing](https://turkeypurge.org/cumhuriyet-daily-journalists-remain-jail-following-tuesday-hearing/) - An İstanbul court on Tuesday ruled that Cumhuriyet daily journalists who were arrested on Nov. 12, 2016 on terror charges will continue to remain in pretrial detention. According to the state-run Anadolu news agency the İstanbul 27th High Criminal Court decided that Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Murat Sabuncu, reporter Ahmet Şık and CEO Akın Atalay will remain
- [Turkish tech journalist detained over ByLock use: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-tech-journalist-detained-bylock-use-report/) - Technology journalist M. Serdar Kuzuloğlu was detained over his alleged links to the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15 failed putsch, on Wednesday. According to Turkish media, Kuzuloğlu was detained for his alleged used of ByLock, an encrypted mobile app that Turkish prosecutors claim to be the top communication tool
- [Turkey detains four more journalists over coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-four-journalists-coup-charges-report/) - Turkish police have detained four journalists from different media outlets over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which the government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. According to the Gazete Duvar news portal, Şule Çizmeci, a former reporter for now-closed Radikal daily, was detained in İzmir’s Datça district on Wednesday. It was reported that
- [İzmir police detain 6 lawyers on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/izmir-police-detain-6-lawyers-on-terror-charges-report/) - At least six lawyers from the İzmir branch of Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) have been detained by police, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Sunday. According to the daily, İzmir police raided 10 locations accross the province in wee hours of Sunday morning and detained 6 lawyers — Dinçer Çalım, Nergis Tuba Aslan, Şule Arslan, Bahattin Özdemir, Emel
- [Harms urges EULEX to look into Kosovo’s detaining of Gülen-linked teacher](https://turkeypurge.org/harms-urges-eulex-look-kosovos-detaining-gulen-linked-teacher/) - Rebecca Harms, a member of the European Parliament, on Sunday called on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to look into the case of Uğur Toksoy, a Turkish teacher who was detained on Friday by Kosovo authorities over alleged links to the Gülen movement, immediately following a visit by Ankara Chief
- [1,025 in poor health in Turkish prisons, 357 seriously ill: rights group](https://turkeypurge.org/1025-turkish-prisons-poor-health-357-seriously-ill-rights-group/) - Prominent pro-Kurdish NGO the Human Rights Association (İHD) has stated that in Turkey there are 1,025 prisoners in poor health, 357 of whom are seriously ill, subjected to deplorable conditions, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Friday. Speaking at a press conference held by the İHD Diyarbakır branch and Diyarbakır Chamber of Medical Doctors, İHD Diyarbakır branch
- [Another 3 caught near border while on way to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/another-3-caught-near-border-way-greece/) - Three people were detained in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were on their way to escape to the Greece, Dogan news agency reported on Monday. Dogan said one of the detainees had been under investigation over over his links to the Gulen movement while the remaining two were suspected to be ByLock users. ByLock is
- [Dismissed teacher arrested after 12 days under custody](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-preschool-teacher-arrested-12-days-custody/) - Nazife Onay, one of the thousands of teachers who were removed from their jobs by decrees issued by the Turkish government in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, was arrested after spending 12 days under police custody. Onay, a teacher of 11 years, staged a sit-in in protest of her dismissal
- [Local businessman gets 42.5-year jail time plus $35,000 fine](https://turkeypurge.org/local-businessman-gets-42-5-year-jail-time-plus-tl-130000-fine/) - Murat Baran, the owner of the Kırsehir-based Baran pharmacy store and the president of the Kırşehir Ahi Businessmen Association (KAHİAD) until it was shut down by the government, was sentenced to 42 years and 6 months in prison. The court also handed over TL130,000 [$35,000] fine to him. Under arrest since May, 2016, Baran was
- [Kosovo detains Gülen-linked teacher at Turkey’s request](https://turkeypurge.org/kosovo-detains-gulen-linked-teacher-turkeys-request/) - A Turkish teacher named Uğur Toksoy was detained by Kosovo authorities just following a visit by Ankara Chief Prosecutor Yüksel Kocaman, over his alleged links to the Gülen movement on Friday. According to information given by his friends in Kosovo, Uğur Toksoy, an employee of the Atmosfera Educational Foundation Prizren, was detained by Kosovo police on
- [Half of Turkey’s population not governed by elected leaders: opposition](https://turkeypurge.org/half-turkeys-population-not-governed-elected-leaders-opposition/) - The half of Turkey’s population are not governed by the elected politicians, main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said on Saturday. “Can you imagine? The mayors are either being dismissed or forced to resign. The half of the population reside in those citizens where mayors were dismissed, resigned or replaced with the
- [Court accepts indictment seeking life sentences for relatives of major coup suspect](https://turkeypurge.org/court-accepts-indictment-seeking-life-sentences-for-relatives-of-major-coup-suspect/) - A Sakarya court on Friday accepted an indictment against the sister-in-law and the father-in-law of Turkey’s major coup suspect Adil Öksüz, state-run Anadolu news agecy reported. The indictment drafted by the Sakarya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and seeks a life sentences and additional jail sentence of up to 15 years for the Öksüz’s sister-in-law Emine Sennur
- [Properties of 12 critical media outlets put up for sale in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/properties-of-12-critical-media-outlets-put-up-for-sale-in-turkey/) - Properties belonging to 12 media outlets that the Turkish government seized under post-coup emergency rule, were put up for sale by the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) on October 27. In a statement on Friday, TMSF listed properties belonging to Adana Medya Newspaper, Art Tv ve Art Radio, Haber Radio Ege, Herkül Fm, Htv Hayat
- [German, Swedish rights activists leave Turkey after release from prison](https://turkeypurge.org/german-swedish-rights-activists-leave-turkey-after-release-from-prison/) - German citizen Peter Frank Steudtner and Swedish national Ali Gharavi, who were released on Wednesday after 112 days in jail along with six other human rights activists, left Turkey on Thursday, the Hürriyet daily reported. The two rights activists departed Turkey from İstanbul Atatürk Airport. An İstanbul court on Wednesday ruled to release eight human
- [Turkey must release businessman Osman Kavala immediately: EESC president](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-must-release-businessman-osman-kavala-immediately-eesc-president/) - Georges Dassis, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), said on Thursday he was disappointed by the detention of human rights activist and prominent businessman Osman Kavala in Turkey and urged his immediate release. In a letter to Ambassador Faruk Kaymakçı, Turkey’s permanent representative to the European Union, Dassis said he regrets seeing Kavala
- [Rights abuses in Turkish prisons revealed in new report](https://turkeypurge.org/rights-abuses-in-turkish-prisons-revealed-in-new-report/) - A comprehensive report, released last week by the Platform for Peace & Justice (PPJ) on prison conditions in Turkey under a state of emergency declared in the aftermath of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, has exposed widespread human rights violations and inadequate facilities in 72 out of 80 prisons in the country. The recently released
- [Dormitory manager gets 10-year jail sentence over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/dormitory-manager-gets-10-year-jail-sentence-over-gulen-links/) - A dormitory manager in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Samsun, identified by his initials F.T., was sentenced to 9 years and 9 months in prison, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Oct 24. F.T., the last manager of a Samsun dormitory, established by the followers of the Gulen movement and shut down by the government
- [[VIDEO] 13 children, 17 others detained while fleeing to Greek island of Kos](https://turkeypurge.org/video-13-children-17-others-detained-while-fleeing-to-greek-island-of-kos/) - At least 30 people were detained near Turkey’s maritime border with Greece with most of them escaping from the government’s post-coup crackdown, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Friday. Coast guard in Mugla stopped a jet-ski and a zodiac boat off the shores of the resort district of Bodrum, and rounded up 30 Turkish nationals, among them
- [285 Turkish teachers, families at risk of deportation from Pakistan: rights group](https://turkeypurge.org/285-turkish-teachers-families-at-risk-of-deportation-from-pakistan-rights-group/) - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organization the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on Thursday that 285 Turkish nationals who live in Pakistan are at risk of forcible repatriation, arbitrary arrest and other human rights abuses. The statement came days after the deportation of the Kaçmaz family on Oct.
- [Turkish teacher bans kids from speaking Kurdish in classroom: deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-teacher-bans-kids-from-speaking-kurdish-in-classroom/) - A Turkish teacher in Turkey’s southeastern Şırnak province has recently imposed a ban on mother language usage in an elementary school classroom, according to pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Aycan Irmez. Irmez issued a parliamentary question to the Minister of Education regarding to the incident, asking if there was a directive telling teachers to prevent Kurdish children from
- [Oda TV editor-in-chief gets 11 months in jail for ‘insulting’ Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/oda-tv-editor-in-chief-gets-11-months-in-jail-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Barış Pehlivan, editor-in-chief of the Oda TV news portal, has been given 11 months 20 days prison sentence for “insulting” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to the Diken news portal, Pehlivan found guilty for publishing the sarcastic comments made by the British comedian John William Oliver’s comments during the HBO political talk-show. Insulting the president
- [Over 22,000 inmates sleep on floor in Turkey’s overcrowded prisons: report](https://turkeypurge.org/over-22000-inmates-sleep-on-floor-in-turkeys-overcrowded-prisons-report/) - At least 22,000 inmates are forced to sleep on the floor as the prison population has exceeded 229,000 for the first time in Turkey’s history, the Haberturk news website reported on Tuesday. According to the report, based on figures provided by the Justice Ministry, 229,790 people are in prisons with a total capacity of 207,339.
- [Turkish gov’t bans imprisoned journalist’s book on human rights violations](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-bans-imprisoned-journalists-book-on-human-rights-violations/) - The newly released book on human rights violations in Turkey in the aftermath of a failed coup last year, written by Naciye Nur Ener, the jailed editor of the Yeni Asya daily, has been banned in Turkish prisons, Yeni Asya reported on Sunday. According to the paper, prison guards seized a copy of the book, titled
- [Court releases 2 journalists after 416 days under pretrial detention](https://turkeypurge.org/court-releases-2-journalists-after-416-days-in-pretrial-detention/) - Atilla Taş, a former singer and a columnist for the now-closed Meydan daily, Murat Aksoy, former columnist of now-closed Bugün daily, and Davut Aydın, a former teacher, were released by an İstanbul court on Tuesday after 416 in pretrial detention over alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, which is accused by the Turkish government
- [TL 5.5 bln to be spent to construct 39 new prisons in Turkey: report](https://turkeypurge.org/tl-5-5-bln-to-be-spent-to-construct-39-new-prisons-in-turkey-report/) - The regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will spend TL 5.5 billion for the construction of 39 new prisons in various provinces of Turkey, Cigdem Toker wrote in her Tuesday column for the Cumhuriyet daily. According to Toker prison construction constitutes a new field of profit-making usurped by the government, which has made the process of construction
- [Journalists Öğreten, Kanaat to remain jailed in trial over minister’s leaked emails](https://turkeypurge.org/journalists-ogreten-kanaat-to-remain-behind-bars-in-trial-over-ministers-leaked-emails/) - A Turkish court, on Tuesday, released Ömer Çelik , from the pro-Kurdish news agency DIHA, pending trial while ruling to keep the other two journalists in the same trial, Tunca Öğreten and Mahir Kanaat in detention on remand. The three are among six journalists who were detained in December due to their reports on the leaks
- [7 detained for putting money into Bank Asya after Dec 2013](https://turkeypurge.org/7-detained-for-putting-money-into-bank-asya-after-dec-2013/) - At least 7 people were detained for having raised the amount of the money held at their Bank Asya accounts after late 2013, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday. Police in Iğdır, Muş, İstanbul, Rize, Erzurum and Düzce provinces detained 7 suspects over gradual deposit increase in their Bank Asya accounts after December 2013.
- [Turkish court approves 55-month sentence for pro-Kurdish deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-approves-55-month-sentence-for-pro-kurdish-deputy/) - The Gaziantep Regional Court of Justice has approved a 55 month, 10 day prison sentence for Ferhat Encü, one of 10 jailed deputies from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Habertürk reported on Thursday. The Şırnak 2nd High Criminal Court on June 9 had handed down a prison sentence of 55 months, 10 days on
- [Turkey’s pro-gov’t media now overjoyed with detention of Turkish businessman Kavala](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-pro-govt-media-now-overjoyed-with-detention-of-turkish-businessman-kavala/) - Turkey’s leading pro-govenment dailies and journalists hang the flags out after prominent human rights activist and businessman Osman Kavala have recently been taken into custody by police “for getting involving in terrorism activities in Turkey.” In its front-page story on Friday Yeni Şafak launched a smear campaign against Kavala under the headline “Key Figure of Terror
- [Helsinki Commission urges Erdogan to end post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/helsinki-commission-urges-erdogan-to-end-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - Four senior members of US’s Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), which is also known as the Helsinki Commission, has called on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to lift post-coup emergency rule, in force over a year. Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker, Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith, Ranking Commissioner Sen. Ben Cardin, and Ranking Commissioner Rep. Alcee
- [12-year-old diagnosed with cancer amid grief for jailed father](https://turkeypurge.org/12-year-old-diagnosed-with-cancer-amid-grief-for-jailed-father/) - Muhammed Eray Özkul, the 12-year-old son of the Zonguldak-based former police officer Ender Özkul, has been diagnosed with cancer after his father was jailed in Turkish government’s post-coup dragnet. The father worked as a police officer for 15 years until he was suspended on the accusations of having links to the Gulen movement on Sept,
- [German minister says Turkish intelligence collecting information on opponents](https://turkeypurge.org/german-minister-says-turkish-intelligence-collecting-information-on-opponents/) - The German province of North Rhine-Westphalia’s (NRW) Interior Minister Herbert Reul said Turkish intelligence service (MIT) have been collecting information about the opponents of the government of Turkey in the region. German media said on Thursday that Reul underlined in a recent parliamentary report that MIT collects systematic information about alleged government opponents on behalf of
- [Yet another 5 journalists detained in Ankara](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-5-journalists-detained-in-ankara/) - Ankara police detained 5 journalists following house raids on Friday. Mezopotamya news agency reporters Selman Güzelyüz and Diren Yurtsever, and Jinnews editor Sibel Yükler were rounded up along with Duygu Erol and Habibe Eren, reporters for the latter media outlet. Media reported that the detentions were made “upon a complaint,” while Mezopotamya said “It is
- [2 women, 2 children, 3 others detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/2-women-2-children-3-others-detained-while-on-way-to-escape-to-greece/) - At least seven people were detained while they were on their way to escape Turkey to Greece, Dogan news agency reported on Friday. Gendarmerie rounded up seven suspects near Turkey’s Greek border in Edirne province. While 5 of them were taken to a nearest police stations, whereabouts of the children are yet to be reported.
- [Journalist Tuğrul Eryılmaz given jail sentence over solidarity with pro-Kurdish daily](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-tugrul-eryilmaz-given-jail-sentence-over-solidarity-with-pro-kurdish-daily/) - Journalist Tuğrul Eryılmaz was given a suspended jail sentence of 15 months and TL 6,000 in fine over his participation in a solidarity campaign with the pro-Kurdish Ozgur Gundem newspaper. The sentence was suspended, according to the media. The Özgür Gündem daily was earlier accused of promoting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and shut
- [Writer Vedat Çetin under custody over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/writer-vedat-cetin-under-custody-over-terror-charges/) - Kurdish Writer and journalist Vedat Çetin was detained in Diyarbakır on Friday as part of an investigation into the pro-Kurdish Democratic Peoples’ Congress (DTK). Çetin was detained after police raided his house in Diyarbakır early on Friday. He was taken to the Diyarbakır Police Department as part of an investigation into the DTK, the Evrensel
- [Head of Ankara-based think tank ORSAM detained](https://turkeypurge.org/head-of-ankara-based-think-tank-orsam-detained/) - Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM) Director Şaban Kardaş was detained at his home in Ankara on Friday as part of an investigation in which prominent human rights activist and businessman Osman Kavala was arrested on Thursday. According to the pro-government Yeni Şafak daily, Kardaş was taken to İstanbul for questioning. Turkish police on Thursday
- [[VIDEO] Jailed teacher, on hunger strike for 226 days, released as fellow striker to remain behind bars](https://turkeypurge.org/video-jailed-teacher-on-hunger-strike-for-226-days-released-as-fellow-striker-to-remain-behind-bars/) - An Ankara court on Friday ruled for the release of Semih Özakça and continued the pretrial detention of Nuriye Gülmen, who went on a hunger strike in May after they were fired from their jobs by a government decree following a failed coup last year. According to the T24 website, the Ankara 19th High Criminal
- [Man sent to jail after trying to go abroad with gov’t-revoked passport](https://turkeypurge.org/man-sent-to-jail-after-trying-to-go-abroad-with-govt-revoked-passport/) - A Turkish man, identified with his initials M.Ö., was detained after he attempted to leave Turkey to Greece with his passport, which, he later found out, had been cancelled by the government in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed putsch. M.Ö. handed over his passport to be stamped by police at Turkey’s Ipsala
- [Mechanical engineering professor sentenced to 7 years in jail over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/mechanical-engineering-professor-sentenced-to-7-years-in-jail-over-terror-charges/) - Halil Aykul, a mechanical engineering professor and the former dean of the engineering faculty at Turkey’s Hitit University, was sentenced to 6 years, 10 months and 15 days in jail over terror charges. Dismissed from his faculty job over his alleged links to the Gulen movement, professor Aykul was earlier arrested as part of a
- [University’s physician-in-chief gets 12-year jail sentence over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/universitys-physician-in-chief-gets-12-year-jail-sentence-over-gulen-links/) - Mehmet Ünlü, a medical professor and the chief physician at the Kocatepe University hospital in Afyonkarahisar until he was dismissed over his alleged links to the Gulen movement, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. According to Kronos online news portal on Thursday, Ünlü rejected allegations raised against him however, was given 12 years of
- [Gov’t seeks extradition of German-Turkish national in Ukraine](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-seeks-extradition-of-german-turkish-national-in-ukraine/) - Turkish government has been seeking the extradition of a German citizen in Ukrained, identified as Kemal K., over murder charges while the accused says the request is politically motivated. Kemal K. was detained at Kyiv’s Zhuliany International Airport upon an Interpol warrant issued by Turkey, on July 23, this year. Even though he was released three
- [[VIDEO] Turkish citizen abducted from plane in Kazakhstan: wife](https://turkeypurge.org/video-turkish-citizen-abducted-from-plane-in-kazakhstan-wife/) - Turkish national Zabit Kişi was abducted from a plane by a group of unknown people in Kazak city of Almaty, his wife said in a recent video recording during which she also expressed concerns over Turkey’s long arm abroad. Social media accounts familiar with the issue supposed that Zabit had links with Gulen movement, which the
- [Turkish government extends state of emergency for 3 more months](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-government-extends-state-of-emergency-for-3-more-months/) - The Turkish Parliament on Tuesday extended for three more months a state of emergency declared in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, the fifth such extension since it was originally put in force. Following a meeting of Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the
- [Judge candidate in jail for attempting to escape to Greece: report](https://turkeypurge.org/judge-candidate-in-jail-for-attempting-to-escape-to-greece-report/) - A prospective judge, known by his initials M.G., has been put in pretrial detention after he was arrested while on way to escape to Greece. An arrest warrant was earlier issued against M.G. as part of an Ankara-based investigation into the Gulen movement and law enforcement rounded him up as he was located near Greek
- [Journalist faces investigation for accusing minister’s husband of ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/journalist-faces-investigation-for-accusing-ministers-husband-of-bylock-use/) - An Istanbul prosecutor launched investigation against journalist Ismail Küçükkaya and lawyer Fidel Okan for implying that the family issues minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya’s husband used the controversial mobile app, ByLock, on Tuesday. Küçükkaya and Okan tweeted on Monday that Kaya divorced her spouse after she found out that he had downloaded the ByLock app. To the
- [Former police officer, brother detained while on way to flee Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/former-police-officer-brother-detained-while-on-way-to-flee-turkey/) - The former police chief of Diyarbakir’s Sur district was detained along with his brother in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were reportedly on their ways for an illegal exit to Greece. According to state-run Anadolu news agency, S.A., the police chief who was earlier dismissed over his alleged links to the Gulen movement,
- [Former Zaman reporter sentenced to 6 years in jail over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/former-zaman-reporter-sentenced-to-6-years-in-jail-over-terror-charges/) - The government-closed Zaman newspaper’s reporter in the northwestern province of Eskişehir was sentenced to 6 years plus 3 months in prison on charges of membership to a terrorist organization on Tuesday. Mehmet Kuru, a father of one and a long-time Zaman reporter pleaded not guilty during his final hearing while the court in charge sentenced
- [Pro-gov’t media ‘over the moon’ after UN-protected Turkish family forcefully deported to Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-pro-govt-media-over-the-moon-over-un-protected-kacmaz-familys-forced-return/) - Turkey’s leading pro-govenment dailies and journalists hang the flags out after Turkish teacher Mesut Kacmaz and his family were forcefully deported by Pakistani government to Turkey at the Turkish government’s request despite the family’s asylum certificates granted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Mesut Kaçmaz, his wife Meral Kaçmaz along with their two children were
- [23 ‘Gülenist academics’ dismissed from Giresun university: dean](https://turkeypurge.org/23-gulenist-academics-dismissed-from-giresun-university-dean/) - A total of 23 academics and public servants have been fired from their jobs at Turkey’s Giresun University over their alleged links to the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. According to the university’s dean, Cevdet Coşkun, after the coup attempt, the university management formed a committee
- [Gov’t sells seized-Gülenist channel to instigator of murder of Jewish businessman Nesim Malki](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-sells-seized-gulenist-channel-to-instigator-of-murder-of-jewish-businessman-nesim-malki/) - Bügün TV — a now-closed station known to be affiliated with Turkey’s Gülen group — has reportedly been sold to Burhanettin Türkeş, a Turkish citizen who served 74 months for his role in murder of Jewish businessman Nesim Malki. Malki, who was a businessman based in Istanbul, was killed in 1995 by gunmen who opened fire
- [FİDH letter calls on Pakistani gov’t not to deport 289 Turkish citizens to Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/fidh-letter-calls-on-pakistani-govt-not-to-deport-289-turkish-citizens-to-turkey/) - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), an international umbrella organization for human rights, has called on Pakistani government not to deport 289 Turkish citizens to Turkey as they have been granted asylum certificates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In a letter sent to the President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khan Abbasi,
- [Evrensel daily managing editor gets 11 months in jail for ‘insulting’ Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/evrensel-daily-managing-editor-gets-11-months-in-jail-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Çağrı Sarı, the managing editor of leftist daily Evrensel has been given 11 months 20 days prison sentence for insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to the daily, Sarı found guilty for insulting the president in a column she publish on January 30, 2017. According to the court the following sentence is an insult to
- [Famed Turkish businessman Osman Kavala detained at İstanbul airport](https://turkeypurge.org/famed-turkish-businessman-osman-kavala-detained-at-istanbul-airport/) - Osman Kavala, one of Turkey’s most prominent businessmen and the chairman of İstanbul-based Anadolu Kültür Association, has been taken into custody by Turkish police upon his arrival to İstanbul’s Atatürk airport late on Wednesday night. According to T24 news portal, Kavala was detained upon his return from a visit to Gaziantep. The businessman was reportedy detained
- [34 including 70-year-old Kurdish imam in custody on terror charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/34-including-70-year-old-imam-under-custody-on-terror-charges-report/) - At least 34 people have been detained by Turkish police in Adana over their alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Evrensel daily reported. According to the report, a 70-year old imam named Yusuf Süne was among the detainees and he is accused of having membership in an “armed terrorist organization” and “attempting
- [Officials at German immigration office accused of leaking info to pro-Erdoğan media](https://turkeypurge.org/officials-at-german-immigration-office-accused-of-leaking-info-to-pro-erdogan-media/) - Some interpreters, interviewers and security personnel within the Germany’s federal immigration authority (BAMF) are accused of leaking information regarding Turkish asylum claimants to the media outlets close to the President Recep Erdogan’s government in Turkey. A number of recent Turkish asylum claimants in Germany have been defamed as terrorist in the Turkish media shortly after their
- [İstanbul court accepts indictment seeking up to 15 years for right defenders](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-court-accepts-indictment-seeking-up-to-15-years-for-right-defenders/) - An indictment seeking up to 15 years in prison for 11 prominent human rights defenders, including Amnesty Turkey’s director İdil Eser, has been accepted by the İstanbul 35th High Criminal Court, the Diken news agency reported on Tuesday. Charges against the Amnesty International-related human rights activists are reported to include “membership in a terrorist organization.” Charges
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 58 more over Kimse Yok Mu links](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-58-more-over-kimse-yok-mu-links/) - The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention warrants for 58 people on accusations that they linked with the Kimse Yok Mu aid organization affiliated with Turkey’s Gülen group, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday . According to the story, 31 of 58 people were detained during police operations in ten provinces across Turkey. The
- [Turkey seeks 12-year jail term for Cumhuriyet’s website editor](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-seeks-12-year-jail-term-for-cumhuriyets-website-editor/) - Turkish prosecutors are seeking 12-year jail sentences for Cumhuriyet’s website editor Oğuz Güven, according to the Diken news portal. Oğuz Güven was put in pre-trial detention over a report that appeared on the Cumhuriyet daily’s website about the recent traffic death of Denizli Chief Prosecutor Mustafa Alper in Denizli province. Güven is accused of disseminating
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 77 more people on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-77-more-people-on-coup-charges/) - the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention warrants for at least 77 people on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday. According to the report, police have so far detained 14 of the suspects in simultaneous operations in İstanbul and Muğla provinces.
- [Indictment seeks lifetime imprisonment for jailed journalist Yakup Çetin](https://turkeypurge.org/indictment-seeks-lifetime-imprisonment-for-jailed-journalist-yakup-cetin/) - An indictment which has been prepared against now-closed Zaman daily reporter Yakup Çetin seeks two life sentence on terror charges, several Turkish media outlets reported. Çetin was arrested Augus 2016 on the accusations of “establishing a terrorist group” and “plotting to topple the government” based solely on 13 Tweet messages and one article. The 31-year old
- [947 detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/947-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-ministry/) - At least 947 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 809 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement in between Oct 9 to 16. Turkish government says the movement masterminded the July 15, 2016 coup
- [Gov’t says 889 press cards cancelled in 2016](https://turkeypurge.org/minister-says-turkey-cancelled-889-press-cards-in-2016/) - Turkish authorities cancelled state-issued press cards of 889 journalists, according to Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül. In response to a parliamentary question over the past week, Gül said the number of press cards cancelled in 2016 in Turkey was 889. Among the reasons for revocations were, the minister said, leave of employment, closure of media outlets,
- [65-year-old woman stripped naked before visiting son in prison](https://turkeypurge.org/65-year-old-woman-stripped-naked-before-visiting-son-in-prison/) - Süleyman Başer, a media consultant for the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) who spent 10 months in prison, said his septuagenarian mother had been stripped naked before visiting him in jail. Released after 10 months in prison over terror charges on Oct 3, Başer told media that he is not as happy as expected. “My
- [Pro-gov’t daily says Kaçmaz family brought back to Turkey despite UN protection](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-daily-says-kacmaz-family-brought-back-to-turkey-despite-un-protection/) - The pro-government Güneş daily said on Monday that Turkish teacher Mesut Kacmaz and his family were brought back home at Turkey’s request despite the family’s asylum certificates granted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In a front-page story on Monday, Güneş said Turkey brought the Kaçmaz family back despite their UN protection.
- [Yet another Turkish national disappears abroad as wife concerned over husband’s safety](https://turkeypurge.org/yet-another-turkish-national-disappear-abroad-as-wife-concerned-over-husbands-safety/) - Hardly a day goes without a news story about disappearances of Turkish nationals abroad. In a recent video recording widely shared on social media on Oct 16, a Turkish woman Birsen Kilic said her husband Enver Kılıç disappeared while flying from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. https://turkeypurge.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/x2waWoTVd3vziMHX.mp4 Social media accounts supposed that Enver had links with Gulen
- [Another woman faces detention just after giving birth: opposition deputy](https://turkeypurge.org/another-woman-faces-detention-just-after-giving-birth-opposition-deputy/) - Turkish police are waiting at Balıkesir Sevgi Hospital to detain M.A., who just gave birth by cesarean section, over alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of mounting a botched coup attempt last summer, an opposition deputy tweeted on Saturday. Sezgin Tanrıkulu, a deputy from the main opposition Republican
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 100 former police officers: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-100-former-police-officers-report/) - An Ankara prosecutor has issued detention warrants for a total of 100 former police officers over alleged use of a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday. According to the report, 63 of 100 police officers have so far been detained in simultaneous opetrations in 19 provinces as part
- [Journalists to be persecuted over naked detention pictures of PKK suspects](https://turkeypurge.org/journalists-to-be-persecuted-over-naked-detention-pictures-of-pkk-suspects/) - The Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into those who photographed a detention procedure that included stripping suspected militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) naked, according to the Diken news portal. Seven people were stripped naked with their hands tied on their back before they were detained as part of an investigation into
- [Over 22,000 purged from police force since coup attempt: Turkish police academy head](https://turkeypurge.org/over-22000-purged-from-police-force-since-coup-attempt-turkish-police-academy-head/) - More than 22,000 police officers have been dismissed from profession since a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, according to Yılmaz Çolak, president of Turkey’s police academy. Speaking during a conference in Antalya on Friday, Çolak said 12,000 police officers are still under suspension over alleged links to the coup for which the government blames
- [Turkish family, kidnapped in Pakistan, deported to Turkey Saturday morning: report](https://turkeypurge.org/report-abducted-turkish-family-deported-to-turkey/) - Ex-director of a Turkish schools in Pakistan, Mesut Kaçmaz, and his family have allegedly been deported to Turkey days after they were abducted from their apartment in Lahore, according to the friends of the family. Several Turkish media outlets reported that the family — Mesut Kaçmaz, his wife Meral Kaçmaz and the two kids —
- [HRW: People being tortured, abducted in post-coup Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/people-being-tortured-abducted-in-post-coup-turkey-hrw/) - People detained after the last year’s failed putsch have been subject to torture in police custody while several others were abducted outside detention facilities, according to a recent report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW). The New York-based watchdog documented human rights abuses occurred between March and August 2017 in its 43-page report, “In Custody:
- [Another 5 detained near border while on way to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/another-5-detained-near-greek-border-while-on-way-to-greece/) - Five people were detained in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were on their way to escape to the Greece, Dogan news agency reported on Friday. Detainees, among them a woman, had outstanding arrest warrants as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement. Gendarmerie rounded up the suspects near the Uyuklu village in
- [Turkish gov’t signals 3-month extension in post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-govt-signals-3-month-extension-in-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group deputy chairperson and Kayseri deputy Mustafa Elitaş said on Friday that emergency rule will be extended in Turkey for another three months, Turkish media reported on Friday. According to the CNN Türk news website, the extension of emergency rule will first be discussed on Oct. 16
- [Warrants issued to detain 115 from 328 now-closed schools, dormitories](https://turkeypurge.org/warrants-issued-to-detain-115-from-328-now-closed-schools-dormitories/) - Detention warrants were issued for 115 people from 328 schools and dormitories that were earlier shut down over links to the Gulen movement, on Friday. Police carried out operations to detain 115 former personnel of 328 dormitories, infant schools, primary, secondary and high schools in 15 provinces. 54 were rounded up while police were seeking
- [Turkish teachers in Kazakhstan fear going home: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-teachers-in-kazakhstan-fear-going-home-report/) - The teachers working for the schools affiliated with the Gülen movement in Kazakhstan fear reprisal in case they return back home, according to a recent report by the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). At least 27 Kazakh-Turkish schools have hosted dozens of teachers hailing from Turkey until very recently. When a military coup attempt hit
- [Plainclothes cops disperse terror attack mourners, detain 40 university students in İstanbul](https://turkeypurge.org/plainclothes-cops-disperse-terror-attack-mourners-detain-40-university-students-in-istanbul/) - Turkish police deployed tear gas to disperse tens of university students in İstanbul who were marching to commemorate the victims of a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 102 people near Ankara’s main train station on Oct. 10, 2015. According to a Twitter account run by a group of students from İstanbul University, at
- [Turkey blasts PACE’s human rights award to imprisoned judge](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-blasts-paces-human-rights-award-to-imprisoned-judge/) - Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for awarding the 2017 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to jailed judge Murat Arslan, the president of the now dissolved Association for the Union of Judges and Prosecutors (YARSAV), on Monday. In a statement on its website on Monday, Turkey’s Ministry
- [[VIDEO] Teacher, 4 children, 7 others detained while on way to escape to Greece](https://turkeypurge.org/video-teacher-4-children-7-others-detained-while-on-way-to-escape-to-greece/) - Twelve people were detained in Turkey’s border province of Edirne while they were on their way to escape to the Greece, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday. Detainees include four children, a teacher removed from his/her job and dismissed public servants who worked as rapporteurs at the Prime Ministry until they were sacked in
- [Turkish FM says NBA player Enes Kanter’s world tour disrupted in post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-fm-says-nba-player-enes-kanters-world-tour-disrupted-in-post-coup-crackdown/) - Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said NBA player Enes Kanter’s world tour was disrupted as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown against the Gulen movement, on Wednesday. Speaking during a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) meeting in Afyonkarahisar province, Çavuşoğlu said: “Some institutions affiliated with the movement used to have recognition within the
- [Adana police seize books, magazines during anti-drugs operation](https://turkeypurge.org/adana-police-seize-books-magazines-during-anti-drugs-operation/) - A number Islamic books written by Fethullah Gulen have been confiscated along with several copies of the now-closed Sizinti magazine during an anti-drugs operation in Turkey’s southern province of Adana. Anti-narcotics police in Adana’s Seyhan district raided a passage upon a complaint to seize opiate drugs on Wednesday. While four people were detained as part
- [Germany’s ‘Brave Journalism’ award goes to Turkey’s Ahmet Şık](https://turkeypurge.org/germanys-brave-journalism-award-goes-to-turkeys-ahmet-sik/) - The Brave Journalism award has been bestowed on prominent Turkish journalist and Cumhuriyet daily reporter Ahmet Şık, who was arrested last December on charges of disseminating terrorist propaganda in Turkey, according to the Bianet news portal. Şık’s wife, Yonca Şık, is expected to receive the award at the International Frankfurt Book Fair that open this week
- [We will root out every single Gülenist from the Balkans: Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/we-will-root-out-every-single-gulenist-from-the-balkans-erdogan/) - People affiliated with the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen will be “rooted out” from the Balkans, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Oct. 11 in a speech in the Serbian town of Novi Pazar. “We will root out this treacherous gang called FETÖ from the Balkans, just as we did from our country,” Erdoğan said
- [Turkish barbers ban American-style haircut in retaliation for US visa ban](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-barbers-ban-american-style-haircut-in-retaliation-for-us-visa-ban/) - The Samsun Barbers Chamber announced on Wednesday that they have banned all barbers in the province from doing American-style haircuts in support of the Turkish government in a row with the US, which suspended non-immigrant visa services in Turkey after a US Consulate staff member was arrested. According to the CNN Türk website, Samsun Barbers
- [Amnesty calls on Turkey to release human rights defenders on 100th day of their arrest](https://turkeypurge.org/amnesty-calls-on-turkey-to-release-human-rights-defenders-on-100th-day-of-their-arrest/) - Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday called on the Turkish government for the immediate andunconditional release of 11 prominent human rights defenders, including its Turkey director İdil Eser, who has been in pretrial detention for 100 days on terrorism charges. In a press release issued on Wednesday, John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe director, said: “One hundred
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 70 more military members](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-70-more-military-members/) - Detention warrants have been issued for at least 70 more soldiers of various ranks as part of an investigation into Turkey’s Gülen group, which is accused by Turkish authorities of orchestrating a failed coup in Turkey last summer, DHA news agency reported on Tuesday. According to the report, the warrants issued by the Konya Chief
- [Police wait outside delivery room to detain woman who just gave birth](https://turkeypurge.org/police-wait-outside-delivery-room-to-detain-woman-who-just-gave-birth/) - A group of police officers are reportedly waiting outside the delivery room in Ankara Private Middle East Hospital in order to detain Ü. Monos, who just gave birth, according to a tweet posted by @magdurmesajiTr. According to the tweet, Monos is an english teacher and is sought by police over her alleged link to Turkey’s
- [Imprisoned journalist Şahin Alpay: They know we have been wronged](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-journalist-sahin-alpay-they-know-we-have-been-wronged/) - Dr. Şahin Alpay, one of 280 journalists currently in Turkish prisons, expressed thanks to politicians and local and foreign colleagues who have objected to the unfair arrest and imprisonment of journalists and writers in Turkey, in the first letter he has been able to write from prison, while expressing disappointment with those who have refrained from
- [Investigation launched against dismissed public worker’s 70-year-old mother](https://turkeypurge.org/investigation-launched-against-dismissed-public-workers-70-year-old-mother/) - An Ankara prosecutor has launched a probe against 7 people including Kezban Şaçılık, the septuagenarian mother of the dismissed civil servant Veli Şaçılık. Veli Saçılık is a former political prisoner and public servant who was sacked by government decree in the aftermath of a July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. He has been staging protests
- [Warrant issued for another US consulate staffer as wife, son under interrogation: report](https://turkeypurge.org/warrant-issued-for-another-us-consulate-staffer-as-wife-son-under-interrogation-report/) - Amid visa crisis with the US over the arrest of a Turkish national working at the İstanbul Consulate General last week, media reported that Turkish authorities issued detention warrant for another US consulate staff on Sunday morning. According to a report by Hurriyet daily, Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a detention warrant for a
- [809 people detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/809-people-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-ministry/) - At least 809 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 809 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement in between Oct 2 to 9. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July 15, 2016
- [Dormitory managers sentenced to 10 years in jail over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/dormitory-managers-sentenced-to-10-years-in-jail-over-terror-charges/) - A Kirsehir court handed down 10-year prison term each to seven people who used to work as managers at the student dormitories, closed over their links to the Gulen movement, on Oct 4. During the final hearing of a trial against the movement in the central Anatolian province of Kirsehir, eight former dormitory managers including
- [Imprisoned Turkish judge awarded human rights prize by Council of Europe](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-turkish-judge-awarded-human-rights-prize-by-council-of-europe/) - Murat Arslan, the last chairman of Turkey’s Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV) was named as the winner of the 2017 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Council of Europe (CoE) on Monday. Under arrest since Oct 26, 2016 over his alleged links to the Gulen movement, Arslan acted as the chair of YARSAV until it
- [15 including doctors, teachers, students detained over ByLock mobile app](https://turkeypurge.org/15-including-doctors-teachers-students-detained-over-bylock-mobile-app/) - Fifteen people in Kahramanmaras province were detained as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement, which the government accuses of leading the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, on Monday. State-run Anadolu news agency reported that 15 suspects including doctors, students and teachers were rounded up over their alleged use of the ByLock application, which Turkish
- [[VIDEO] Parents seek UN help as no news from Turkish teacher abducted in Pakistan](https://turkeypurge.org/video-parents-seek-un-help-as-no-news-from-turkish-teacher-abducted-in-pakistan/) - There has been no trace of Turkish teacher Mesut Kacmaz and his family since they were abducted by a group of people in police uniforms in Pakistan 15 days ago. Kacmaz’s parents, worried over the safety of their children, are seeking help from the United Nations. [VIDEO] Parents seek UN help as no news from
- [Rights defenders face up to 15 years in prison over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/rights-defenders-face-up-to-15-years-in-prison-over-terror-charges/) - An indictment prepared against 11 rights defenders including Amnesty International’s (AI) Turkey Director İdil Eser seek 15 years in jail for each of the suspects over terror charges. The human rights activists were detained during a workshop at a hotel on İstanbul’s Büyükada on July 5. While three of them were later released pending trial,
- [Teacher couple, 2 children detained near Greek border while on way to escape Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/teacher-couple-2-children-detained-near-greek-border-while-on-way-to-escape-turkey/) - A Malatya-based couple, identified with initials H.Y. and I.Y., were detained along with their two kids near Greek border in Edirne province, on Friday. The family was reportedly on their way to escape Turkey to Greece as they fear government persecution in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. H.Y. worked as a teacher at
- [US suspends visa services in Turkey after consulate staffer arrested in post-coup probe](https://turkeypurge.org/us-suspends-visa-services-in-turkey-after-consulate-staffer-arrested-in-post-coup-probe/) - The US suspended all non-immigrant visa services at all its diplomatic facilities in Turkey over what it called ‘recent events,’ on Sunday. “Recent events have forced the United States government to reassess the commitment of government of Turkey to the security of U.S. mission and personnel,” a statement by the US embassy in Ankara said.
- [Turkish police raid student houses, detain 69 on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-raid-student-houses-detain-69-on-coup-charges/) - Police teams armed with machine guns raided tens of student houses and detained at least 69 more people as part of an investigation into Turkey’s Gülen group, the state-run Anadolu news agency (AA) reported on Saturday. According to the report, 50 people, including university students, were rounded up in the central Turkish province of Konya as
- [Venice Commission: Emergency decree laws are obstructing local democracy in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/venice-commission-emergency-decree-laws-are-obstructing-local-democracy-in-turkey/) - The Council of Europe’s (COE) expert body on legal and constitutional affairs, the Venice Commission, on Friday said Turkey’s emergency decree laws, which were passed in the wake of a failed coup attempt in 2016, go beyond what is permitted by international standards and the Turkish Constitution. According to a press release from the COE,
- [Turkey’s imprisoned pro-Kurdish leaders nominated for EP’s Sakharov Prize](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-imprisoned-pro-kurdish-leaders-nominated-for-eps-sakharov-prize/) - Imprisoned pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ have been nominated for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought given by the European Parliament (EP), the EP press service reported on Wednesday. The reason for the nomination of the imprisoned leaders was that “[t]hey are the symbols of the repression
- [Local Amnesty office launches photo exhibition to support Turkey’s ‘Silenced Voices’](https://turkeypurge.org/local-amnesty-office-launches-photo-exhibition-to-support-turkeys-silenced-voices/) - Amnesty International’s (AI) local branch in UK’s Kirklees distict launched a photo exhibition in solidarity with whom it called Turkey’s silenced voices, on Sept 29. “The pews of the town Centre Church will be filled with photographs and information relating to those journalists who have been detained in a clampdown by the Turkish state following
- [55-year-old leukemia patient says looking after grandchildren as daughter, son behind bars over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/55-year-old-leukemia-patient-says-looking-after-grandchildren-as-daughter-son-behind-bars-over-gulen-links/) - The 55-year-old mother of an imprisoned Turkish woman said in a Twitter video that she has been left to look after her grandchildrens after the Turkish government imprisoned her daughter as well as her son over alleged links to the Gülen group, which the government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. “I am
- [Pro-Kurdish journalists claim to have been tortured in prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-journalists-claim-to-have-been-tortured-in-prison-report/) - Thirteen inmates including journalists Erdoğan Alayumat and Serkan Erdoğan from the Dicle news agency (Dihaber) and Özgürlükçü Demokrasi daily, respectively, both of which were shut down by a government decree, were allegedly tortured on Oct. 2 by some 20-30 guards at Tarsus T-2 Prison in southern Turkey, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Thursday. Tugay Bek,
- [US consulate staffer in Istanbul jailed over espionage charges](https://turkeypurge.org/us-consulate-staffer-in-turkey-jailed-over-espionage-charges/) - A staff member in US consulate in Istanbul, known as M.T., was arrested on charges of military and political espionage against Turkish government, on Monday. M.T., a communications officer at the consulate was taken into custody on Sunday and put in pretrial detention on Wednesday. According to the investigation, M.T. allegedly had regular phone calls
- [14 companies seized in post-coup investigation in western Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/14-companies-seized-in-post-coup-investigation-in-turkeys-western-province/) - Fourteen more companies in Turkey’s western province of Aydin have been seized by the government as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, accused of masterminding the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. The movement denies involvement. Trustees were appointed to fourteen companies that were owned by nine businessmen who has been under investigation over
- [[VIDEO] Police officers repeatedly beat Antalya woman with baton while she is pinned to floor](https://turkeypurge.org/video-police-officers-repeatedly-beat-antalya-woman-with-baton-while-she-is-pinned-to-floor/) - A cellphone video that shows two police officer in Antalya repeatedly striking a woman with baton has prompted investigation, authorities announced on Wednesday. According to the 45-sec. footage which was recorded by a passersby and released on Twitter, two several officers and a woman exchange a series of escalating insults and challenges, and the brawl
- [Lawyer tortured, threatened with rape of family members: rights groups](https://turkeypurge.org/lawyer-tortured-threatened-with-rape-of-family-members-rights-groups/) - The Human Rights Association (İHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) held a press conference on Tuesday regarding allegations of the torture of lawyer Mustafa Koçak during a 10-day period of detention, the Haberdar news website reported. At the press conference İHD Co-chair lawyer Gülseren Yoleri said Koçak was detained without any grounds
- [Detention warrants issued for 254 in İstanbul, Ankara over ‘coup links’](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-for-254-in-istanbul-ankara-over-coup-links/) - İstanbul and Ankara prosecutors have issued detention warrants for at least 254 people on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday. According to the report, in İstanbul, the warrants include 112 former and active duty staff members of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and 18 other
- [Turkish court approves prison sentence for teacher who ‘praised terrorism’ during live talk show](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-court-approves-prison-sentence-for-teacher-who-praised-terrorism-during-live-talk-show/) - A regional Turkish court has approved a 15-months prison sentence for Turkish teacher Ayşe Çelik, who called for an end to clashes between Kurdish militants and Turkish security forces in Diyarbakır during a TV program in 2016, Cumhuriyet reported on Monday. According to the report Çelik, who said “Don’t let children die” during the “Beyaz
- [[VIDEO] 20 in 4 provinces detained over ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/video-20-in-4-provinces-detained-over-bylock-use/) - At least 20 people in 4 different Turkish cities were detained for alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the government of being behind a failed coup in Turkey last year, on Monday. Turkish media reported that the suspects were rounded up over their alleged use of the ByLock application, which Turkish authorities believe
- [Erdogan says nobody hurt by emergency rule except for terrorists](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-says-nobody-hurt-by-emergency-rule-except-for-terrorists/) - Nobody has suffered from the post-coup emergency rule except for terrorist organisations and their members, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. Speaking during a ceremony held for the start of the new legislative year in Parliament, Erdogan said the post-coup emergency rule hurt only terrorists. “So far, except for terrorist organisations and their members,
- [Cameraman fired from state-run broadcaster for ‘insulting Erdoğan’](https://turkeypurge.org/cameraman-fired-from-state-run-broadcaster-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) cameraman Binali Erdoğan was removed from his job over social media posts criticizing the country’s newly introduced executive presidential system. TRT’s discipline committee ruled, on Sept 26, to dismiss Erdoğan from his job as part of an administrative investigation, launched before the presidential referendum on Apr 16, 2017. According to
- [Another 38 under custody over alleged use of ByLock mobile app](https://turkeypurge.org/another-38-under-custody-over-alleged-use-of-bylock-mobile-app/) - At least 38 people in 5 different Turkish cities were detained for alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the government of being behind a failed coup in Turkey last year, on Friday. Turkish media reported that the suspects were rounded up over their alleged use of the ByLock application, which Turkish
- [Report: Turkey abusing Interpol system to persecute critics](https://turkeypurge.org/report-turkey-abusing-interpol-system-to-persecute-critics/) - The Turkish government’s blatant abuse of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to persecute, harass and intimidate critics and opponents is much worse than one might imagine, new research by the Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF), an advocacy group that tracks rights violations in Turkey, has revealed. The dubious and false charges filed by Turkey through Interpol
- [İstanbul woman suffers miscarriage in police custody: report](https://turkeypurge.org/istanbul-woman-suffers-miscarriage-in-police-custody-report/) - Büşra Atalay, a Turkish woman who has previously been dismissed from her job over alleged Gülen links, lost her unborn child when she was detained and interrogated at an İstanbul hospital on Thursday. Atalay was detained by police at İstanbul Pendik Yüzyıl Hospital on Thursday over her alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which the
- [22-month with Down Syndrome in prison along with mother, jailed in post-coup probe](https://turkeypurge.org/22-month-with-down-syndrome-in-prison-along-with-mother-jailed-in-post-coup-probe/) - A 22-month-old child who suffers from Down Syndrome is living in jail along with his mother after both his mother and father were imprisoned in Konya over alleged links to the Gülen movement, a report said on Saturday. According to AktifHaber.com website, prison conditions are not appropriate for baby Enis, who suffered gastric bleeding when he
- [Lawyer representing Turkey’s jailed hunger strikers jailed](https://turkeypurge.org/lawyer-representing-turkeys-jailed-hunger-strikers-jailed/) - Ahmet Mandaci, a lawyer representing hunger striker teachers Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, under arrest for over 2 months, was arrested. “We were told that lawyer Ahmet Mandaci was rounded up in the courthouse. Lawyer Ahmet Mandaci was arrested after the prosecutor objected his brief release,” a series of tweets by the People’s Law Bureau
- [68,500 ‘anti-terror operations’ carried out in Turkey in past year](https://turkeypurge.org/68500-anti-terror-operations-carried-out-in-turkey-in-past-year/) - Turkish security forces carried out 68,464 counter-terrorism operations in the past 12 months, according to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. Speaking to state-run Anadolu news agency on Thursday, Soylu said some 40,000 of those operations targeted the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), 25,000 were carried out against the followers of the Gulen movement and 2,109 against
- [Police detain 15 teachers on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-15-teachers-on-coup-charges-report/) - At least 15 teachers who have previoulsy been dismissed from profession with decress issued by the Turkish gov’t, were taken into custody over their alleged links to Turkey’s Gülen group, which the authorities accuses of masterminding a coup attempt last year. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in the central Anatolian province of Aksaray issued on Thursday
- [32 people detained in 10 provinces over alleged ByLock use: report](https://turkeypurge.org/32-people-detained-in-10-provinces-over-alleged-bylock-use-report/) - At least 32 people in ten different Turkish cities for alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the government of being behind a failed coup in Turkey last year. The CNN Türk website reported that 17 people in 10 provinces were detained over their alleged use of the ByLock application, which Turkish
- [Dismissed academics open coffee shop, library in Mersin](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-academics-open-coffee-shop-library-in-mersin/) - A group of academics who were fired from their universities with decrees issued by the Turkish gov’t in the aftermath of last year’s coup attempt, has opened a coffee shop with a small library in the southern Turkish province of Mersin. Purge-victim professor Ayşe Gül Yılgör, assistant professor Ulaş Bayraktar, research assistant Galip Deniz Altınay, activist Nalan
- [Turkey now seeks red notice request for Can Dündar](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-now-seeks-red-notice-request-for-can-dundar/) - The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday submitted a request to the Justice Ministry for a red notice for former Cumhuriyet daily Editor-in-Chief Can Dündar, who fled Turkey for Germany last year. According to a Cumhuriyet daily report on Thursday, the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office sent a request to the General Directorate of
- [Erdoğan says would release US pastor if Gülen is handed over](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-says-would-release-us-pastor-if-gulen-is-handed-over/) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the US to extradite Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen in return for releasing American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been jailed in Turkey since October 2016. Erdoğan’s remarks came on Thursday during the police academy graduation ceremony in Ankara. Criticizing the US for not taking any action
- [Coup suspect, sister face up to 5 years in jail over ‘hero’ T-shirt](https://turkeypurge.org/coup-suspect-sister-face-up-to-5-years-in-jail-over-hero-t-shirt/) - Gökhan Güçlü, a noncommissioned officer and one of the suspects on trial for an assassination attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the night of a failed coup last year, face up to 5 years in prison for wearing a T-shirt that bore the word ‘hero’ during a hearing. The prosecutor in charge also seeks 5-year
- [Dismissed teacher, businessman detained near Greek border during second attempt to flee Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-teacher-businessman-detained-near-greek-border-during-second-attempt-to-flee-turkey/) - A dismissed teacher, identified only by initials H.Y.Y., and an Istanbul businessman, A.B., have been detained during their second attempt to flee Turkey’s post-coup crackdown to Greece. H.Y.Y. and A.B. were briefly detained for attempting to illegally cross Turkey’s Greek border in Edirne’s Serem village on Sept 24. Two days after the incident, gendarmerie stopped
- [[VIDEO] Police officer, suspended under post-coup emergency rule, commits suicide](https://turkeypurge.org/video-police-officer-suspended-under-post-coup-emergency-rule-commits-suicide/) - Ibrahim Eski, a 31-year-old police officer who was suspended from his job due to his alleged links to the Gülen movement, committed suicide on Tuesday. Failed to hear from the father of two for a while, Eski’s relatives broke into his home in Sakarya where they found his hanged body. According to media, Eski was
- [HRCP calls for immediate release of kidnapped school director, family](https://turkeypurge.org/hrcp-calls-for-immediate-release-of-kidnapped-school-director-family/) - The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan HRCP has called for the immediate release of ex-director of a Turkish schools in Pakistan, Mesut Kaçmaz, and his family who were abducted in the wee hours of Wednesday. According to the Nation, HRCP urged Pakistani government to immediately release the Kacmaz family and desist from deporting them; as there
- [17 doctors, health personnel detained in post-coup investigation](https://turkeypurge.org/17-doctors-health-personnel-detained-in-post-coup-investigation/) - At least 17 people were detained as part of an Aksaray-based investigation into the Gulen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15,2016 coup attempt, on Tuesday. An Aksaray prosecutor issued detention warrants for 18 individuals who were earlier removed from their jobs under post-coup emergency rule. Police carried out operations in Aksaray
- [Konya police detain 11 businessmen in post-coup probe](https://turkeypurge.org/konya-police-detain-11-businessmen-in-post-coup-probe/) - At least 11 businessmen were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement in the central Anatolian province of Konya, on Tuesday. Arrest warrants were issued for 17 business professionals and police rounded up 11 of the suspects, who are accused of having used ByLock mobile app. Police still seek the remaining 6 people. Turkish
- [Turkey, the global leader in attacks against academia: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-the-global-leader-in-attacks-against-academia-report/) - Scholars, academic staff and students across the globe continue to face threats while Turkey has been singled out as the home to the highest number of reported attacks, according to a recent report. In its Tuesday report, titled Free to Think 2017, SAR documented 257 attacks in 35 countries where higher education participants, whether be
- [970 detained over Gülen links in past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/970-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week-ministry/) - At least 970 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, the Interior Ministry said 970 people were rounded up in operations targeting the Gülen movement in between Sept 18 and 25. Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the July
- [Post-coup victims also profiled in social security numbers: opposition](https://turkeypurge.org/post-coup-victims-profiled-in-social-security-numbers-opposition/) - Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Bursa deputy Ceyhun İrgil has said the Turkish government is blacklisting employees who worked at places closed down by government decree and employees who were fired by their employers due to alleged links to the Gülen movement, accused of mounting a coup attempt in Turkey last year. According to
- [8-year-old stripped of ‘Super Dad’ T-shirt during visit to jailed father](https://turkeypurge.org/8-year-old-stripped-of-super-dad-t-shirt-during-visit-to-jailed-father/) - An 8-year-old boy was stripped of his T-shirt that bore the words ‘Super Dad’ during a visit to his father, under arrest for at least 14 months in Turkish government’s post-coup dragnet. A recent tip submitted to Magdur Mesajları, a Twitter account known for solidarity postings for Turkey’s post-coup rights victims, has allegedly shown that
- [No rule of law in Turkey anymore: German Bar Association](https://turkeypurge.org/no-rule-of-law-in-turkey-anymore-german-bar-association/) - The head of the German Bar Association (DAV), Ulrich Schellenberg, said the rule of law no longer exists in Turkey, warning German lawyers about the possibility of being arrested in the country, Deutsche Welle reported on Friday. “There is no rule of law in Turkey anymore. There is no presumption of innocence. There is no
- [Local education director detained due to picture with ‘hero’ graffiti](https://turkeypurge.org/local-education-director-detained-due-to-photo-with-hero-graffiti/) - Mustafa Kaya, the district director of national education in Izmir’s Seferihisar was taken into custody over his picture taken near a ‘hero’ graffiti, on Friday. Kaya is accused of having links to the Gulen movement, which the government blames for the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. The movement denies involvement. According to Dogan news agency,
- [Another German national put in jail in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/another-german-national-put-in-jail-in-turkey/) - The number of German citizens in Turkish prisons have increased by one on Sept 15, according to Deutsche Welle. Martin Schaefer, a German foreign ministry spokesman, announced on Sept 11 that a German couple of Turkish origin was detained at an İstanbul airport. While the woman was immediately released on judicial supervision, her husband was
- [Man held in custody for days despite lack of detention warrant: brother](https://turkeypurge.org/man-held-in-custody-for-days-despite-lack-of-detention-warrant-brother/) - A Turkish man named Faysal Ugar has been held in police custody since September 22 despite lack of an existing detention warrant about him, according to a tweet posted by the man’s brother, Engi Ugar. “My brother, Faysal Ugar, left yesterday for Friday prayer. They told us that despite lack of a detention warrant, he
- [Pro-gov’t journalist under custody over report on national intelligence chief](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-journalist-under-custody-over-report-on-national-intelligence-chief/) - Ömer Turan, the editor in chief of the pro-government online news portal Manset24, was detained on Thursday. Turan was detained over a report, published in Manset24 early on the same day, about an alleged relation between National Intelligence Agency (MİT) head Hakan Fidan and Önder Aytaç, an academic and a columnist with an outstanding arrest
- [Turkey, the global leader in Twitter censorship in first half of 2017](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-the-global-leader-in-twitter-censorship-in-first-half-of-2017/) - Turkey came first in the Twitter’s censorship index by content removal requests that the microblogging company received worldwide in the first half of 2017. A total of 1,995 content removal requests were filed by Turkey’s government agencies including police and other institutions, making up 37 percent of the total number of such requests made globally
- [41 detained in İzmir-based ByLock probe](https://turkeypurge.org/41-detained-in-izmir-based-bylock-probe/) - At least 41 people were detained as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement in İzmir, on Friday. Detention warrants were issued for 49 individuals from several occupational groups in İzmir, Konya, and İstanbul. While 41 of the suspects were rounded up, police were seeking the remaining 8 at the time of this writing. Turkish authorities
- [Arrest warrants issued for 33 lawyers, 11 others](https://turkeypurge.org/arrest-warrants-issued-for-33-lawyers-11-others/) - İzmir Chief Prosecutor’s Office has issued detention warrants for 44 people including 33 lawyers as part of an investigation into İzmir Bar Associations due to alleged links to Gülen Movement, accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in July, 2016. According to a Cumhuriyet daily report on Friday, Turkish anti-terror police detained 26 people, some of
- [Miss Turkey stripped of crown due to tweet on abortive coup](https://turkeypurge.org/miss-turkey-stripped-of-crown-due-to-tweet-on-abortive-coup/) - The crown of Miss Turkey 2017, Itır Esen, was taken away by contest organizers over one of her tweets on the anniversary of a failed coup in July 2016. According to T24, Esen’s crown was taken away and given to Aslı Sümen, the first runner-up. Esen deleted her Twitter account following the decision. On July
- [Man in ‘heart’ T-shirt briefly detained following false tip-off over ‘hero’ top](https://turkeypurge.org/man-in-heart-t-shirt-briefly-detained-following-false-tip-off-over-hero-top/) - A Bursa man, identified only with his initials Ö.G., was briefly detained upon a complaint that he was wearing a ‘hero’ T-shirt, on Friday. Bursa police detained Ö.G. following a false tip-off which reported him to police as wearing a hero T-shirt. Police stopped Ö.G. near Bursa’s touristic Koza Inn and interrogated him. When they
- [Turkish intelligence identifies 31,000 more ByLock users: daily](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-intelligence-identifies-31000-more-bylock-users-daily/) - Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has identified 31,000 previously unknown ByLock users, among whom are employees of important public agencies, according to the state-run TRThaber news portal. According to the daily, the new list will soon be submitted to the Ankara Prosecutor’s Office for a formal indictment. Turkish government believes using ByLock is a sign
- [Turkey jails 14 İstanbul lawyers over alleged terror links](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-jails-14-istanbul-lawyers-over-alleged-terror-links/) - An İstanbul court arrested a total of 14 lawyers due to their alleged links to Far-left Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Thursday. According to the reports, 16 lawyers were detained as part of an investigation by İstanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office into DHKP/C. Among the arrestees are the two lawyers of
- [Erdoğan fans, security staff beat up protesters during US speech](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-fans-security-staff-beat-up-protesters-during-us-speech/) - Two protesters who caused disturbance during a gathering in New York City at which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was giving a speech, were roughed up by some members of the audiences as well as what appears to be security details of Erdoğan, according to several media outlets. Some protesters had unfurled banners during an event organized by
- [Anchorwoman, sidelined over Erdoğan comments, resigns from CNN Türk](https://turkeypurge.org/anchorwoman-sidelined-over-erdogan-comments-resigns-from-cnn-turk/) - Journalist Nevşin Mengü, known for her critical stance towards the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced on Thursday that she was parting ways with CNN Türk, where she had once served as an evening news anchor. Mengü tweeted: “We part ways with love This happens sometimes. I hope
- [Journalism awards ceremony banned under post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/journalism-awards-ceremony-banned-under-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - The Beyoğlu district governor’s office in İstanbul banned a journalism awards ceremony named after Kurdish dissident writer and activist Musa Anter and planned to be held at a hotel in İstanbul on Thursday evening due to an ongoing state of emergency in Turkey. According to the Bianet website, the local governor’s office send a letter
- [Gov’t bans 7th grade textbooks over pages on media freedom, corruption](https://turkeypurge.org/govt-bans-7th-grade-textbooks-over-pages-on-media-freedom-corruption/) - The Turkish Education Ministry has issued a decision to immediately recall seventh grade social studies textbooks due to a page on press censorship by the government, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Thursday. According to the report, the ministry distributed thousands of books to seventh grade students. The book had a chapter on press freedom that
- [Another 9 teachers detained in post-coup investigation](https://turkeypurge.org/another-9-teachers-detained-in-post-coup-investigation/) - A total of nine teachers who used to work for a private college, linked to the Gulen movement, were detained on Tuesday. The suspects, earlier removed from their jobs under emergency rule, were rounded up as part of a post-coup probe in Mugla’s resort district of Bodrum. Once teachers at the movement-linked Merter Anatolian High
- [Turkish state may be tolerating post-coup abductions if not involved: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-state-may-be-tolerating-post-coup-abductions-if-not-involved-report/) - Turkish state has been tolerating post-coup abductions even though its involvement has yet to be backed up with hard evidence, according to online news portal Politico’s Europe edition. “There is no hard evidence of the Turkish state’s involvement in the recently documented disappearances, and the identities of the kidnappers remain a mystery. But the case of
- [Erdoğan: No journalist in Turkish prisons but terrorists, thieves, spies](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogan-no-journalist-in-turkish-prisons-but-terrorists-thieves-spies/) - President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said there is no journalist who was imprisoned in Turkey that those in prisons are only terrorists and thieves. Speaking to a business forum in US on Wednesday, Erdoğan said Turkey arrested scores of journalists not because of their journalistic activities but because of criminal records. “The ones who have been
- [Isparta police detain 31 shopkeepers, housewives over ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/isparta-police-detain-31-shopkeepers-housewives-over-bylock-use/) - A total of 31 people, including shopkeepers, housewives have been detained by police teams in Isparta province over alleged use of a smart phone application known as ByLock. According to the Hürriyet daily, police teams early on Tuesday morning conducted simultaneous raids in several Isparta districts including Yenişarbademli, Yalvaç, Uluborlu, Senirkent, Keçiborlu, Gelendost and Eğirdir.
- [Second hearing of 17 journalists including Ilıcak and Altan brothers begins](https://turkeypurge.org/second-hearing-of-17-journalists-including-ilicak-and-altan-brothers-begins/) - A total of 17 suspects including journalists Nazlı Ilıcak, Ahmet Altan and his brother Mehmet Altan appeared before the court on Tuesday for the second hearing of the trial, Cumhuriyet daily reported. The suspects, who are being held as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding a failed
- [Germany grants asylum to 196 Turkish diplomats: report](https://turkeypurge.org/germany-grants-asylum-to-196-turkish-diplomats-report/) - The asylum requests of 196 Turkish nationals with diplomatic passports have been approved by Germany, Deutsche Welle reported on Tuesday. In response to a parliamentary question by Left Party, Germany’s Interior Ministry said 196 Turkish nationals, who applied for asylum in Germany following a botched coup attempt in July, 2016, were recognized. According to the
- [Court rules to continue pretrial detention for imprisoned Zaman journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/court-rules-to-continue-pretrial-detention-for-imprisoned-zaman-journalists/) - An İstanbul court on Tuesday ruled for a continuation of the pretrial detention of 21 journalists, former employees of the Zaman newspaper, which was shut down by the government last year. According to the decision of the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court during a hearing at the Silivri Prison compound, the journalists’ request to be
- [US rights group publishes three-page ad telling Erdoğan ‘You are not welcome’](https://turkeypurge.org/us-rights-group-publishes-three-page-ad-telling-erdogan-you-are-not-welcome/) - The New York-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF) on Tuesday took out an advertisement in the Metro New York newspaper criticizing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is attending the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, for his crackdown on opposition in Turkey. In a tweet from @HRF on Tuesday, the rights group said, “We
- [Sacked in post-coup purge, teacher of 18 years working as beekeeper for living](https://turkeypurge.org/sacked-in-post-coup-purge-teacher-of-18-years-working-as-beekeeper-for-living/) - Hatayi Demir, an elementary school teacher until she was dismissed by a government decree issued under post-coup emergency rule last year, is now earning her keep by working as a beekeeper in a village in Tunceli province. According to Duvar news portal, Demir was first suspended and ultimately dismissed by the government decree, like her
- [Daughter of deceased jurist says parliamentarians, newspapers ignored calls for help](https://turkeypurge.org/daughter-of-deceased-jurist-says-parliamentarians-newspapers-ignored-help-requests/) - Buket Erdoğan, the daughter of the recently-deceased jurist Mustafa Erdoğan said the deputies as well as the newspapers she tried to reach out to help her father ignored her calls. A former Supreme Court of Appeals member, Erdoğan was imprisoned over links to the Gulen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15,
- [Ministry: 774 detained over Gülen links in past week](https://turkeypurge.org/ministry-774-detained-over-gulen-links-in-past-week/) - A total of 774 people were detained across Turkey as part of investigations into the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, over the past week. In a written statement on Monday, Interior Ministry said Sept 774 were detained over their alleged links to the movement between Sept 11-18. Meanwhile, law
- [Turkey arrests yet another journalist over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-arrest-another-journalist-over-terror-charges/) - Kemal Özer, a reporter and nature photographer for Evrensel daily newspaper, was put in pretrial detention on terror charges on Friday. Detained in Tunceli province as part of an investigation into the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on Sept 4, Özer was arrested on accusations of membership to a terrorist organization after spending 11 days
- [Coup suspect says daughter was sexually abused by prison guards](https://turkeypurge.org/coup-suspect-says-daughter-was-sexually-abused-by-prison-guards/) - Brig. Gen. Gökhan Şahin Sönmezateş, accused of leading the group that allegedly tried to capture President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during last year’s abortive coup, has said his daughter was sexually abused during a prison visit to the jailed commander. During a coup trial on Sept 9, Sönmezateş said his daughter was sexually abused while being searched by
- [Nurse with 21 years of experience working at tobacco farm after dismissal](https://turkeypurge.org/nurse-with-21-years-of-experience-working-at-tobacco-farm-after-dismissal/) - Fatma Turan, a 44-year-old nurse who was dismissed under Turkey’s post-coup purge of state institutions, has been working at a tobacco farm to earn her family’s living. Turan was removed from her job along with her husband Özdemir Aydin, also a hospital worker, under a post-coup emergency decree. They were both detained in police operations
- [10 more people sent to prison in Adıyaman over ByLock use](https://turkeypurge.org/10-more-people-sent-to-prison-in-adiyaman-over-bylock-use/) - An Adıyaman court arrested a total of 10 people on Friday in Adıyaman province as part of an investigation into users of ByLock, a smart phone application that Turkish authorities believe is a communication tool among followers of the Gülen group. The Adıyaman Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention warrants on Sept. 7 for 40
- [Couple, three children detained near Greek border before illegal departure from Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/couple-three-children-detained-near-greek-border-before-illegal-departure-from-turkey/) - A family of 5 were detained while hiding at a hunters’ club in Ipsala district of Edirne, Turkey’s border province with Greece, on Sept 14. Gendarmerie rounded up the couple as well as their three children, aged 2, 6 and 9. The state-run Anadolu news agency said that the couple, identified only with their initials
- [Photojournalist put in pretrial detention after 12 days in custody](https://turkeypurge.org/photojournalist-put-in-pretrial-detention-after-12-days-in-custody/) - Photojournalist Çağdaş Erdoğan was arrested after spending 12 days under custody, on Sept 13. Detained while taking photos in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district on Sept 2, Erdoğan was put in pretrial arrest on accusations of membership to a terrorist organization on Wednesday. Erdoğan is alleged to have taken pictures of a building that belongs to the
- [Turkey detains another journalist for insulting Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-another-journalist-for-insulting-erdogan/) - Gokhan Ozbek, a freelance journalist and an outspoken critic of Turkey’s post-coup abuses, was detained for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Sept 14. “I am being detained on accusations of insulting the Presidency, in Istanbul… Goodbye…” Ozbek tweeted early Thursday. Ozbek has become known for his outspoken criticism against post-coup rights violations and
- [Turkish businessman killed in Amsterdam as his Gülen links among possible motives: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-businessman-killed-in-amsterdam-as-his-gulen-links-among-possible-motives-report/) - Turkish-Dutch businessman Ali Ekrem Kaynak was shot dead in Amsterdam on Sept 11 while a local source claimed that his links to the Gulen movement may be behind the shooting. The 48-year-old Turkish expat, who was attacked in head last year too, was gunned down in front of an Amsterdam branch of his fast food
- [14 detained near Greek border while on way to flee post-coup persecution](https://turkeypurge.org/14-detained-near-greek-border-while-on-way-to-flee-post-coup-persecution/) - A total of 14 people were detained near Turkey’s maritime border with Greece with most of them escaping from the government’s post-coup crackdown. Izmir police carried out an operation in the coastal district of Cesme where the suspects had reportedly gathered to go aboard and sail through the Greek island of Chios, on Wednesday. The
- [Manisa police detain 10 women over links to Gülenist associations](https://turkeypurge.org/manisa-police-detain-10-women-over-links-to-gulenist-associations/) - A total of 10 women in Manisa’s Kula district were detained for their ties to associations linked with the Gülen movement, on Tuesday. The women, either former personnel or members of the government-closed associations in Kula, were taken into custody as part of an investigation into the movement, which the government accuses of masterminding the
- [Police to detain another woman shorty after delivery: report](https://turkeypurge.org/police-to-detain-another-woman-shorty-after-delivery-report/) - A group of police officers are reportedly waiting outside the delivery room in Niğde Hayat Hospital in order to detain Büneyye Ö., who just gave birth, the Shaber3 news website reported on Wednesday. According to the report, police are now at the hospital to detain the woman over her alleged links to the Gülen group,
- [Turkey issues detention warrants for 79 teachers on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-issues-detention-warrants-for-79-teachers-on-coup-charges/) - Detention warrants issued on Wednesday for a total of 79 people who used to work for private schools and private training centers that were shuttered by the government over alleged links to the Gülen group. According to the Cumhuriyet daily, the Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office issued the detention warrants as part of an investigation into
- [Nationalist mob attacks funeral for Kurdish deputy’s mother, body unearthed](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-kurdish-deputys-mother-removed-from-grave-after-racist-attack/) - A mob of about 50 people attacked a funeral ceremony held in Ankara for the mother of the imprisoned Deputy Co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Aysel Tugluk, several media outlets reported. Following the attack, the body of Hatun Tuğluk was removed from the grave and again taken to a morgue. According to the
- [Arrest warrant issued for former Ege University rector](https://turkeypurge.org/arrest-warrant-issued-for-former-ege-university-rector/) - An arrest warrant had been issued for Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cüneyt Hoşcoşkun, the former Ege University rector who dismissed 11 academics from the same university in post-coup purge that later hit himself too, state-run Anadolu agency reported on Monday. During his tenure from Aug 12, 2016 to late August, 2017, Hoşcoşkun blacklisted 11 academics and
- [Northern Cyprus seeks to revoke citizenship of jailed journalist Nazli Ilicak](https://turkeypurge.org/northern-cyprus-seeks-to-revoke-citizenship-of-jailed-journalist-nazli-ilicak/) - Turkish journalist Nazlı Ilıcak, in jail since July 29, 2016 over her alleged links to the Gülen movement, will reportedly be denaturalized from her Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) citizenship for allegedly allowing the followers of the Gülen movement on the island to use her residence there, pro-government Sabah daily reported on Monday. According
- [UN rights commissioner calls on Turkey to terminate post-coup emergency rule](https://turkeypurge.org/un-rights-commissioner-calls-on-turkey-to-terminate-post-coup-emergency-rule/) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, in an opening statement for the 36th session of the Human Rights Council, expressed concern about the deterioration of human rights in Turkey and urged the Turkish government not to renew a state of emergency that was declared immediately after a botched coup attempt on
- [[VIDEO] Turkey’s energy minister: I would strangle Gülenists wherever I see them](https://turkeypurge.org/video-turkeys-energy-minister-i-would-strangle-gulenists-wherever-i-see-them/) - Addressing students being sent abroad with a scholarship, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak has said he would strangle supports of Gülen movement wherever he sees them, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Friday. Claiming that Gülen movement members, who Turkish government accuses of having mounted a botched coup
- [One-dollar bills, newspaper subscription, bank accounts seen as evidence of coup-plotter links: SCF report](https://turkeypurge.org/one-dollar-bills-newspaper-subscription-bank-accounts-seen-as-evidence-of-coup-plotter-links-scf-report/) - A recently released report by the Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF) has revealed how the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has abused the rule of law and jailed innocent people on absurd charges, from possessing a dollar bill and cancelling a cable TV subscription to purchasing the most highly circulated daily and membership
- [Turkey detains 451 ‘Gülenists’ in past week](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-451-gulenists-in-past-week/) - The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that police teams have detained a total of 451 people in past 7 days due to alleged links to the Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a botched coup attempt last summer. Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July 15, 2016 that
- [‘615 Turkish civil servants sought asylum in Germany since coup attempt’](https://turkeypurge.org/german-interior-minister-615-turkish-civil-servants-sought-asylum-in-germany-since-coup-attempt/) - A total of 615 Turkish civil servants have applied for political asylum in Germany since a failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, according to German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. Deutsche Welle reported on Monday that, the German minister, who spoke to Rhein Zeitung, revealed that 250 of 615 these civil servants were
- [Court rules for continuation of arrest of Cumhuriyet journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/court-rules-for-continuation-of-arrest-of-cumhuriyet-journalists/) - An İstanbul court on Monday evening ruled for continuation of imprisonmenet of five Cumhuriyet daily journalists — Akın Atalay, Murat Sabuncu, Kadri Gürsel, Ahmet Şık and Kemal Aydoğdu. According to Turkish media, İstanbul 27th High Criminal Court ruled on Monday that the five Cumhuriyet journalists will remain in pretrial detention until the next hearing on Sept.
- [Woman says she miscarried baby due to stress under police custody](https://turkeypurge.org/woman-says-she-miscarried-baby-due-to-stress-under-police-custody-2/) - A Turkish woman, whose identity remains anonymous, has said in a recent video recording that she miscarried her baby due to the stress she experienced under custody. The details about the video, recently shared by social media accounts that often make postings on post-coup rights violations, are still unknown and Turkey Purge is not able
- [Cancer survivor teacher under arrest as disabled daughter shows anxiety](https://turkeypurge.org/cancer-survivor-teacher-under-arrest-as-disabled-daughter-shows-anxiety-2/) - Muharrem Sağlar, a Bingöl-based former teacher who was retired after he survived colon cancer, has been under arrest for more than 5 months and his daughter, a 100 hundred disabled girl shows anxiety as she misses her father. According to a video recording posted on social media very recently, Sağlar’s family has been going through
- [[VIDEO] AKP deputy: Don’t greet Gülen followers even during Eid Al Adha, report them to police instead](https://turkeypurge.org/ruling-ak-party-deputy-dont-greet-gulen-followers-even-during-eid-al-adha-report-them-to-police-instead-2/) - Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group deputy chairman and Kayseri deputy Mustafa Elitaş warned party members in Kayseri on Thursday not to greet followers of the Gülen movement during the Eid al-Adha festival on Friday and advised members to report them to the police instead. Speaking during a party gathering in Kayseri
- [‘My father left to die of liver cancer under arrest,’ says son of purge-victim academic](https://turkeypurge.org/my-father-left-to-die-of-liver-cancer-under-arrest-says-son-of-purge-victim-academic/) - “My father has been diagnosed with liver cancer and needs immediate treatment. He is now being kept at the detention ward of İzmir Training and Research Hospital. Neither my mother nor anyone else is allowed to keep him company. All I want is to see him free and healthy,” Sinan Özcerit, son of a purge-victim
- [Detention warrants issued for 69 army cadets on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/detention-warrants-issued-for-69-army-cadets-on-coup-charges/) - An Ankara prosecutor issued detention warrats for a total of sixty-nine cadets attending the Turkish Military Academy over their alleged involvement in a coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Police have so far detained 50 of the cadets in several different Turkish provinces. The suspects are accused of arming their classmates in an effort to participate the
- [Police officers who guarded Erdogan on night of coup attempt arrested: report](https://turkeypurge.org/police-officers-who-guarded-erdogan-on-night-of-coup-attempt-arrested-report/) - Some of the police officers who allegedly guarded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against the putscihst soldiers on the night of a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, have been put in pre-trial detention on coup charges, the Sputnik English reported on Saturday. According to the report, speaking during a hearing of the trial of
- [AI secretary-general visits Turkey director in İstanbul prison, calls for her immediate release](https://turkeypurge.org/ai-secretary-general-visits-turkey-director-in-istanbul-prison-calls-for-her-immediate-release/) - The secretary-general of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, on Saturday visited the rights group’s Turkey director, İdil Eser, in an İstanbul prison and called for her immediate release along with that of seven other activists being held in pretrial detention for allegedly aiding a terror group. According an AP story on Saturday, Shetty said Eser was doing well
- [Economist: Torture, abductions return to Turkey but international response is weak](https://turkeypurge.org/economist-torture-abductions-return-to-turkey-but-international-response-is-weak/) - Torture has re-emerged in Turkish prisons amid the fallout from the last year’s abortive coup, however international response has remained weak so far, according to the Economist magazine. In an article on Sept 7, Economist underlined that torture have become widespread in Turkey in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt while other
- [Opp deputy under investigation for criticism over civilian deaths in southern Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/opp-deputy-under-investigation-for-criticism-over-civilian-deaths-in-southern-turkey/) - An investigation was launched into main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu immediately after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the deputy for saying that civilians were being killed in attacks by armed drones, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Friday. According to the report, Tanrıkulu is accused of insulting the government of the
- [Sweden, Germany urge EU to act against Turkey’s Interpol abuses](https://turkeypurge.org/sweden-germany-urge-eu-to-act-against-turkeys-interpol-abuses/) - German and Sweden urged the European Union (EU) Commission to act against what they said Turkey’s politically-motivated arrest warrants through Interpol. In a joint letter signed by both countries foreign ministers Simon Gabriel and Margot Wallström, the commission is warned that Turkey is violating the Interpol’s constitution with politically motivated arrest warrants. Addressed directly to
- [CCTV cameras set up in toilets, bathrooms of İstanbul’s Silivri prison: report](https://turkeypurge.org/cctv-cameras-set-in-toilets-bathrooms-of-istanbuls-silivri-prison-report/) - The administration of Silivri Prison in İstanbul, a facility that holds mainly political prisoners, has set up CCTV cameras in the toilets and bathrooms of the women’s wards, a violation of the female inmates’ right to privacy, several Turkish media outlets reported on Thursday. According to the Sol news portal, several female inmates complained about
- [Germany warns travellers to Turkey over arrests without due process](https://turkeypurge.org/germany-warns-travellers-to-turkey-over-arrests-without-due-process/) - The German foreign ministry has updated a travel warning for citizens currently holidaying or planning to vacation in Turkey, saying they could be arbitrarily imprisoned on terror charges or links to terrorist groups. According to the travel update from German Federal Foreign Office on Tuesday, German citizens are warned of arbitrary imprisonment on accusations of terrorism or
- [Dried fruit chain seized in post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/dried-fruit-chain-seized-in-post-coup-crackdown/) - Izmir-based Recep Can Kuruyemiş, a well-established local chain of dried nuts and fruits, has been seized in the government’s crackdown against the Gulen movement which is accused of masterminding the July 15, 2016 failed coup. Trustees were appointed to Recep Can Kuruyemiş and a sister company that produces herbal cosmetics, Hurriyet reported on Sept 1.
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-18/)
- [3 ‘Gülenists’ put in pre-trial detention for trying to exit Turkey with revoked passports](https://turkeypurge.org/3-gulenists-put-in-pre-trial-detention-for-trying-to-exit-turkey-with-revoked-passports/) - Three people who were detained on Sunday at Turkey’s Ipsala border gate on the grounds that their passports were among thousands of others which the government revoked after last year’s coup attempt, were put in pre-trial detention by a Turkish court on Tuesday, the Cumhuriyet daily reported. According to the daily, the Turkish government earlier
- [Police waiting at hospital to detain Kayseri woman after childbirth: report](https://turkeypurge.org/police-waiting-at-hospital-to-detain-kayseri-woman-after-childbirth/) - Turkish police have been waiting inside Kayseri-based Tekden Hospital to detain Zeynep Toptaş, who just gave birth to her child, over alleged links to the Gülen movement, according to media on Sept 3. According to TR724 online news outlet, Toptaş faces detention immediately after the childbirth, as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown against the
- [PEN Int’l urges Turkey to lift travel bans on author Aslı Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/pen-intl-urges-turkey-to-lift-travel-bans-on-author-asli-erdogan/) - PEN International said on Monday it is concerned about travel restrictions imposed by Turkish authorities on award-winning author and honorary PEN member Aslı Erdoğan and called for their immediate removal. In a statement on its website, PEN International said Erdoğan was due to travel to Germany to accept the Erich Maria Remarque Peace Prize at a
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-17/)
- [Turkey detains 2 German nationals on coup charges: report](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-detains-2-german-nationals-on-coup-charges-report/) - The German Foreign Ministry has announced that Turkish police detained two German nationals at Antalya airport over alleged links to the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding a coup attempt in 2016. According to the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr, the detentions are “politically motivated,” while Turkish media reported that the suspects had
- [Ruling AK Party deputy: Don’t greet Gülen followers even during Eid Al Adha, report them to police instead](https://turkeypurge.org/ruling-ak-party-deputy-dont-greet-gulen-followers-even-during-eid-al-adha-report-them-to-police-instead/) - Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group deputy chairman and Kayseri deputy Mustafa Elitaş warned party members in Kayseri on Thursday not to greet followers of the Gülen movement during the Eid al-Adha festival on Friday and advised members to report them to the police instead. Speaking during a party gathering in Kayseri
- [Radiology professor, extradited from Bahrain, gets tortured in Turkish jail: lawyer](https://turkeypurge.org/radiology-professor-extradited-from-bahrain-gets-tortured-in-turkish-jail-lawyer/) - In yet another sign of the abuse of the Interpol system by Turkish government, Harvard-educated Turkish professor was extradited to Turkey to endure torture and ill-treatment in notorious Turkish prison despite he was under the United Nations (UN) protection in Bahrain. Murat Acar, 46-year-old medical doctor who was working as a professor and consultant at
- [Report: 22,000 prisoners sleeping on the floor in Turkey’s overpopulated jails](https://turkeypurge.org/report-22000-prisoners-sleeping-on-the-floor-in-turkeys-overpopulated-jails/) - At least 22,000 inmates are forced to sleep on the floor as the prison population has exceeded 224,000 for the first time in Turkey’s history, the artigercek news website reported on Wednesday. According to the report, 202,000 inmates can be accommodated in current prisons, in which more than 224,000 prisoners are incarcerated, forcing 22,000 of
- [Georgia shuts down Gülen-linked school as principal already under arrest at Turkey’s request](https://turkeypurge.org/georgia-shuts-down-gulen-linked-school-as-principal-under-arrest-at-turkeys-request/) - Georgia’s Ministry of Education has revoked the teaching license of the Demirel College, a private school founded in Tbilisi by the followers of the Gulen movement, in a move that came three months after the jailing of its principal at Turkey’s request. The National Center for Education Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), an agency at the Ministry
- [Erdoğan’s security guards indicted for attacking protesters in US](https://turkeypurge.org/erdogans-security-guards-indicted-for-attacking-protesters-in-us/) - Indictments have been issued for 19 people, including 15 members of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s security detail, for attacking protesters in Washington, D.C., during an official visit in May. The indictments, which were announced Tuesday, accuse the perpetrators of attacking people who were protesting the visit of Erdoğan and of committing a crime of
- [Indian political cartoonist portrays forced disappearances of Turkey’s purge](https://turkeypurge.org/indian-political-cartoonist-portrays-forced-disappearances-of-turkeys-purge/) - Aseem Trivedi, an Indian free speech activist and cartoonist, has drawn cartoons of 13 Turkish citizens who have allegedly been abducted or disappeared after a coup attempt on July 15, 2016 in Turkey. The cartoons were published in the “Black & White – Online Cartoon Magazine for Human Rights” on Aug. 30 to attract attention to the
- [Imprisoned Turkish judge among 3 finalists for CoE’s human rights prize](https://turkeypurge.org/imprisoned-turkish-judge-among-3-finalists-for-coes-human-rights-prize/) - Murat Arslan, the last chairman of Turkey’s Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV) was shortlisted along with two other candidates to the 2017 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Council of Europe (CoE). Under arrest since Oct 26, 2016 over his alleged links to the Gulen movement, Arslan acted as the chair of YARSAV until it
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/sq-6/)
- [Pro-gov’t daily: Turkish army develops software to identify Gülenist soldiers](https://turkeypurge.org/pro-govt-daily-turkish-army-develops-software-to-identify-gulenist-soldiers/) - The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has allegedly developed a software to identify Gülenists soldier witnin the army, the pro-gov’t Sabah daily reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the software categorizes the relations of TSK members with the Gülen group using green, yellow and red colors. Gülen group is accused by the Turkish government of
- [23 under custody in new post-coup investigation](https://turkeypurge.org/23-under-custody-in-new-post-coup-investigation/) - Turkish police have detained 23 people in a Corum-based probe on accusations that they use a smart phone application known as ByLock, on Aug 28. According to state-run Anadolu agency, arrest warrants were issued for 33 people in eight provinces as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, accused by the Turkish government of
- [408 Turkish nationals sought asylum in Switzerland amid post-coup crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/408-turkish-nationals-sought-asylum-in-switzerland-amid-post-coup-crackdown/) - At least 408 Turkish citizens claimed asylum in Switzerland in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, according to Reuters. In response to a parliamentary inquiry, Swiss State Secretariat for Migration 408 Turkish citizens sought asylum since the July coup attempt, including some holders of diplomatic passports, Reuters reported. Turkey survived a military
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-16/)
- [Germany’s Green Party: Turkey’s ‘red notice’ lists prepared by a police state](https://turkeypurge.org/germanys-green-party-turkeys-red-notice-lists-prepared-by-a-police-state/) - Cem Özdemir, co-leader of the German Green Party, has said the lists received from Turkey of people and companies allegedly affiliated with the Gülen group have been prepared by a police state, not by a state of law, Deutsche Welle reported on Monday. Referring to German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel’s warnings to German citizens about
- [TURKEY PURGE IN PAST 30 DAYS: 922 dismissed, 1711 detained, 998 jailed over coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-purge-in-past-30-days-922-dismissed-1711-detained-998-jailed-over-coup-charges/) - A huge cleansing of Turkey’s state and other institutions is continuing as people from all walks of life find themselves being hunted down and taken into custody. At least 1711 people were detained, with 998 of them put in pre-trial detention in operations targeting Turkey’s Kurdish minority, and the Gülen group, which the Turkish government accuses
- [Jailed police chief’s wife, son detained while trying to escape to Greece in boat](https://turkeypurge.org/jailed-police-chiefs-wife-son-detained-while-trying-to-escape-to-greece-in-boat/) - The wife and one of the sons of former police chief Anadolu Atayun, who has already been under arrest for some 3 years, was detained in Mugla’s coastal district of Fethiye while they were trying to illegally escape to Greece in a boat. Following a 34-hour chase launched upon a complaint, Fethiye police carried out an
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/th-7/)
- [Former national team goalkeeper put in pretrial detention in post-coup probe](https://turkeypurge.org/former-national-team-goalkeeper-put-in-pretrial-detention-in-post-coup-probe/) - Ömer Çatkıç, a former Turkish national football team goalkeeper was arrested on Monday on as part of an investigation into the Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Detained on Aug 22, Çatkıç is accused of being a member of the Gulen movement. Among
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-15/)
- [Number of complaints over post-coup dismissals at 57,340](https://turkeypurge.org/57340-people-filed-complaint-over-post-coup-dismissals/) - The number of complaints filed over post-coup dismissals has hit 57,340 in August, according to Turkish media. More than 146,000 people have lost their jobs since last summer as part of the government’s crackdown in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 failed coup, which targeted Turkey’s Gulen movement, Kurdish minority, leftists, liberals and many
- [Turkey releases 3,000 more convicts to make room for post-coup arrestees in prisons](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-releases-3000-more-convicts-to-make-room-for-post-coup-arrestees-in-prisons/) - By means of new decrees issued on Friday, 3,000 more convicts will be released immediately on probation unless they were convicted of terrorism, sexual crimes or coup involvement. In addition, a total of 10,000 convicts will move from closed to open prisons. Last August, Turkey had released 38,000 convicts from prisons to make room for
- [Retired public servant under custody for distributing donations to post-coup victims](https://turkeypurge.org/retired-public-servant-under-custody-for-distributing-donations-to-post-coup-victims/) - An Izmir man, identified as M.S., was detained for helping the overseas followers of the Gulen movement raise money for post-coup victims in Turkey, on Friday. Bursa police carried out an investigation to round up M.S. who was suspected of distributing money to the victims of the government crackdown against the Gulen movement in the
- [Rector who dismissed 11 academics in post-coup purge dismissed in new decree](https://turkeypurge.org/rector-who-dismissed-11-academics-in-post-coup-purge-dismissed-in-new-decree/) - Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cüneyt Hoşcoşkun, the former Ege University rector who dismissed 11 academics from the same university in post-coup purge, was removed from his job as part of the government’s new emergency decrees. The new decrees, published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday and numbered 693 and 694, dismissed another 120 academics from their
- [Advisor to Turkey’s only communist mayor arrested over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/advisor-to-turkeys-only-communist-mayor-arrested-over-terror-charges/) - Hayati Güngören, an advisor to Turkey’s only communist mayor Fatih Mehmet Maçoğlu, was put in pretrial arrest on accusations of membership to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and of aiding and abetting it, on Thursday. Detained along with several other people as part of an investigation into PKK in Tunceli’s Dersim district on Aug 22,
- [[FULL LIST] 922 public servants dismissed, 3 media outlets closed down by new gov’t decrees](https://turkeypurge.org/breaking-922-more-public-servants-dismissed-in-new-govt-decrees/) - With new state of emergency decrees issued early on Friday, the Turkish government has dismissed a total of 922 public servants from public service. The new decrees, published in the Official Gazette, are numbered 693 and 694, are an addition to several others that have led to the purge of more than 146,000 people since a failed coup on
- [620 Turkish citizens have applied for asylum in Germany in July, ministry says](https://turkeypurge.org/620-turkish-citizens-have-applied-for-asylum-in-germany-in-july-ministry-says/) - The number of Turkish citizens who fled Turkey following a failed coup last year and applied for asylum in Germany reached 620 in July, over 433 in June and 498 May, the German Interior Ministry said on Thursday. According to a Deutsche Welle report on Thursday, the German Interior Ministry replied to a parliamentary question from the
- [[FULL LIST] Turkey dismisses 120 more academics, bringing total to 8,391](https://turkeypurge.org/full-list-turkey-dismisses-120-more-academics-bringing-total-to-8391/) - The Turkish government has issued two new state of emergency decrees, known as KHKs, dismissing 922 people including 120 academics from 28 state universities across Turkey. With the dismissal of the academics, the total number of those purged since a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016 has reached 8,391. The new decrees, numbered 693 and 694, were
- [Turkish police besiege World Heritage Site Sur, forcibly evict hundreds of Kurds](https://turkeypurge.org/turkish-police-besiege-world-heritage-site-sur-forcibly-evict-hundreds-of-kurds/) - Hundreds of Kurds who live in Diyarbakır’s Sur district face imminent eviction by the Turkish government as the site will reportedly undergo reconstruction to repair destruction caused by fierce clashes between Turkish security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). According to tweets posted by the HDP and several different pro-Kurdish Twitter accounts, hundreds of
- [New gov’t decree ties Turkish intelligence to President Erdoğan](https://turkeypurge.org/new-govt-decree-ties-turkish-intelligence-to-president-erdogan/) - The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) was tied to the presidency with two new decrees that Turkey issued on Friday morning, enabled by state of emergency powers, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported. According to the new decrees, which were published in the Official Gazette and numbered 693 and 694, the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee,
- [US pastor Andrew Brunson charged with attempt to destroy constitutional order in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/us-pastor-andrew-brunson-charged-with-attempt-to-destroy-constitutional-order-in-turkey/) - A Turkish court on Thursday charged American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was jailed in Turkey in October due to alleged links to the faith-based Gülen movement, with acquiring secret political and military information, attempting to destroy constitutional order and overthrow the Turkish Parliament. According to Hürriyet daily, İzmir 2nd Penal Court of Peace ruled on Thursday for the arrest of Brunson
- [20 including shopkeepers, former civil servants under custody in Manisa](https://turkeypurge.org/20-including-shopkeepers-former-civil-servants-under-custody-in-manisa/) - At least 20 people including small business owners and former public workers who were earlier dismissed from their jobs over links to the Gulen movement were detained in Manisa on Wednesday. The detainees are accused of ByLock, the controversial mobile application that that government say once-primary communication tool among the followers of the movement. Turkish
- [Amedspor midfielder briefly detained for allegedly insulting Erdogan](https://turkeypurge.org/amedspor-midfielder-briefly-detained-for-allegedly-insulting-erdogan/) - Diyarbakir police detained Amedspor player Deniz Naki due to the social media posts authorities find insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Tuesday. Following a police interrogation, the footballer was released once authorities concluded that the implicated Twitter account is not used by Naki but a fan group. Earlier, Naki was given suspended prison sentence of
- [| Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/37941-2/) - full list
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-14/)
- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/th-6/)
- [Police detain ex-keeper on coup charges](https://turkeypurge.org/police-detain-ex-keeper-on-coup-charges/) - Former international goalkeeper Ömer Çatkıç was detained on Wednesday as part of an investigation into the Gülen group, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. According to several Turkish media outlets, Çatkıç is accused of using a smart phone application known as ByLock. Turkish authorities
- [10 more teachers under custody over Gülen links](https://turkeypurge.org/10-more-teachers-under-custody-over-gulen-links/) - Ten teachers were detained in Turkey’s Malatya province as part of an investigation into the followers of the Gülen movement, on Tuesday. Detention warrants were issued for 10 teachers who were earlier dismissed from their jobs over ties to the movement. Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July 15 that killed over 240 people and wounded
- [Socialist party leader sent to jail over terror charges](https://turkeypurge.org/socialist-party-leader-sent-to-jail-over-terror-charges/) - Cicek Otlu, the chairman of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) was arrested on accusations of membership to a terrorist organization on Tuesday. Otlu had been detained as part of a Tunceli-based investigation in Ankara on Monday. During her appearance before the court, Otlu said she sees the decision as a move to block her
- [German FM says wife receiving threats from Erdogan supporters](https://turkeypurge.org/german-fm-says-wife-receiving-threats-from-erdogan-supporters/) - German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has said his wife has received threats in voicemail by people motivated by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “The way Erdogan does this [criticizes the minister] motivates some people to try to harass and bother my wife,” Gabriel was reported as saying by Welt newspaper. Relations between Turkey and Germany has detoriated
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-13/)
- [7 social media users taken under custody over past week: ministry](https://turkeypurge.org/7-social-media-users-taken-under-custody-over-past-week-ministry/) - The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that at least 7 people were detained over the past week on charges of making propaganda on social media on behalf of the Gulen movement and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIL). The ministry said investigations were launched against 255
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/human-tragedies-12/)
- [Dismissed pro-Kurdish mayor, 1-year-old son arrested as mother battered during operation](https://turkeypurge.org/dismissed-pro-kurdish-mayor-1-year-old-son-arrested-as-mother-battered-during-operation/) - Lice Municipality’s former co-mayorRezan Zuğurli was arrested along with her 1-year-old son while her mother Firuze Zuğurli was battered by police officers during the operation on Thursday. Zuğurli, the co-mayor of the Diyarbakir’s Lice Municipality until she was removed as part of the government’s post-coup crackdown against the Kurdish regions on Feb 10, was earlier sentenced
- [Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk says so many innocent people in Turkish prisons](https://turkeypurge.org/turkeys-nobel-laureate-orhan-pamuk-says-so-many-innocent-people-in-prison/) - Nobel laureate novelist Orhan Pamuk said Turkey has imprisoned so many innocent people in arbitrary ways very recently, leading him to feel guilty even when working. In an interview with the US-based Slate magazine on Aug 18, Pamuk said: “As I tell my girlfriend, all the time one feels guilty when one is just happy
- [Merkel says Turkey abusing arrest warrants through Interpol](https://turkeypurge.org/merkel-says-turkey-abusing-arrest-warrants-with-interpol/) - Turkey has been misusing arrest warrants it issues in cooperation with Interpol, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday. “We must not misuse international organizations like Interpol for such purposes,” she said. Merkel’s statement came only a day after Doğan Akhanlı, a Turkish-born German author was detained by Spanish police at Turkey’s request. “(Akhanli’s) is
- [International Press Institute says 171 journalists currently behind bars in Turkey](https://turkeypurge.org/international-press-institute-says-171-journalists-currently-behind-bars-in-turkey/) - According to the International Press Institute (IPI) currently a total of 171 journalists are imprisoned in Turkey due to their journalistic activities. The international media watchdog called for the immediate release of jailed journalists in Turkey on its website while displaying the cases of all 171 reporters and charges against them on Friday. IPI runs
- [Spain detains Germany writer at Turkey’s request](https://turkeypurge.org/spain-detains-germany-writer-at-turkeys-request/) - Doğan Akhanlı, a Turkish-born German author was detained by Spanish police at Turkey’s request on Saturday. With the charges raised against him remaining unknown, German officials said the move was politically motivated. Having fled Turkey to Germany in 1991, the 68-year-old author was detained at a hotel in the Spanish city of Granada over an

## Pages

- [Turkey Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/) - Turkey's post-coup crackdown 150,348 dismissed* 597,793 investigated** 94,975 arrested 3,003 schools, dormitories and universities shut down 6,021 academics lost jobs**** 4,463 judges, prosecutors dismissed***** 189 media outlets shut down 319 journalists arrested*** since July 15, 2016 as of January 26, 2022 *This number includes (1) state officials, teachers, bureaucrats, and academics who were dismissed by
- [The Fallen of Turkey’s Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/the-fallen-of-turkeys-purge/) - Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July 15, 2016 that killed 249 people. Immediately after the putsch, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government along with President Erdoğan pinned the blame on the Gülen group. The group denies any involvement. Sınce the coup attempt, at least 120 people have died while in pre-trial detention or
- [ANNOUNCEMENT: We’re concerned about the fate of people in Turkish prisons](https://turkeypurge.org/announcement-were-concerned-about-the-fate-of-people-in-turkish-prisons/) - Turkey is going through its darkest and gloomiest days in terms of rule of law, the right to a fair trial and even the most fundamental rights and liberties, which are major benchmarks for democracy. Intellectuals, journalists, critical politicians, businesspeople, celebrities and media organizations are being silenced via threats and oftentimes jailed. The recent statement
- [How did Erdoğan become Turkey’s biggest media baron?](https://turkeypurge.org/how-did-erdogan-become-turkeys-biggest-media-baron/) - How did Erdogan become Turkeys biggest media baronDownload
- [Chronology of Turkey’s Purge](https://turkeypurge.org/chronology-of-turkeys-purge/) - chronology-of-turkeys-purgeDownload
- [Journalism in Jail](https://turkeypurge.org/journalism-in-jail/) - 319* journalists arrested in Turkey after July 15, 2016 * This number includes all journalists who have been arrested in the aftermath of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. Some 180 of them are still kept under arrest with the remaining released pending trial or cleared of charges. Source: PEN International, Platform for Independent Journalism (P24), Stockholm
- [submit a tip](https://turkeypurge.org/submit-a-tip/)
- [About Us](https://turkeypurge.org/about-us/) - WHO WE ARE We are a small group of young journalists who are trying to be the voice for Turkish people who suffer under an oppressive regime. We all have personal stories that made us start this website. Family members of some of us are imprisoned. Some of us have close friends who are currently being
- [Call to foreign journalists](https://turkeypurge.org/call-to-foreign-journalists/) - Call to foreign journalists in Turkey: Lately we have been receiving so many tips about massive rights violations from within Turkey. Yet we unfortunately lack trustworthy sources to prove the authenticity of the documents received. If you feel confident in doing so, we would be more than happy to share the documents with you. Please
- [International Organizations](https://turkeypurge.org/international-organizations/) - UN Rapporteur Special Rapporteur of the Human Council on the independence of judges and lawyers c/o Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office at Geneva 8-14 Avenue de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland E-mail: SRindependenceJL@ohchr.org European Commission European Commission Mr Commissioner Johannes Hahn Rue de la Loi /
- [Academics sacked from positions](https://turkeypurge.org/academics-sacked-from-positions/) - Home Page Who we are International Organizations Submit tip Rule 39 Submit your case to the UN English Spanish Macedonian Thai Albanian Vietnamese ACADEMICS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS AT TURKISH UNIVERSITIES Turkey survived a military coup attempt on July 15 that killed over 240 people and wounded more than a thousand others. Immediately after the
- [Turkey Purge in Infographic Charts](https://turkeypurge.org/turkey-purge-in-infographic-charts/) - Infographic Chart 1 At least 44,392 teachers have been dismissed from the Ministry of Education.  Infographic Chart 2 Turkey sees 28 suspicious deaths in Turkish prisons since July 15  Infographic Chart 3 At least 146,674 people have been purged from state bodies.  Infographic Chart 4 Teachers, Prosecutors, Health Workers and Judges Consist
- [Forced Disappearance Tracking](https://turkeypurge.org/forced-disappearance-tracking/) - Salim Zeybek Missing since February 21, 2019. Salim Zeybek, a former Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) employee, was abducted by a group of gunmen in Edirne province on the night of February 21, 2019, according to several tweets posted by a twitter account claiming to be his wife. “I am Fatma Betül Zeybek. My husband, Salim

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://turkeypurge.org/category/uncategorized/)
- [Gulen Movement](https://turkeypurge.org/category/gulen-movement/)
- [Hate Crime](https://turkeypurge.org/category/hate-crime/)
- [Hate Speech](https://turkeypurge.org/category/hate-speech/)
- [Human Rights Abuses](https://turkeypurge.org/category/human-rights-abuses/)
- [Human Tragedies](https://turkeypurge.org/category/human-tragedies/)
- [Latest News](https://turkeypurge.org/category/latest-news/)
- [Today In Crackdown](https://turkeypurge.org/category/today-in-crackdown/)
- [Torture](https://turkeypurge.org/category/torture/)
- [International Reactions](https://turkeypurge.org/category/intl-reactions/)
- [Aktuelle "Säuberungen"](https://turkeypurge.org/category/aktuelle-sauberungen/)
- [Anti-Alawites](https://turkeypurge.org/category/anti-alawites/)
- [Anti-Gulen](https://turkeypurge.org/category/anti-gulen/)
- [Anti-Kurdish](https://turkeypurge.org/category/anti-kurdish/)
- [Cuộc đàn áp hôm nay](https://turkeypurge.org/category/cuoc-dan-ap-hom-nay/)
- [Hari ini dalam tindakan keras](https://turkeypurge.org/category/hari-ini-dalam-tindakan-keras/)
- [Hoje em Repressão](https://turkeypurge.org/category/hoje-em-repressao/)
- [Hoy en la Campaña](https://turkeypurge.org/category/hoy-en-la-campana/)
- [Internationale Reaktionen](https://turkeypurge.org/category/internationale-reaktionen/)
- [Jurnalis yang hidup dipengasingan berbicara](https://turkeypurge.org/category/jurnalis-yang-hidup-dipengasingan-berbicara/)
- [Kurds](https://turkeypurge.org/category/kurds/)
- [Phát biểu của các nhà báo lưu vong Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ](https://turkeypurge.org/category/phat-bieu-cua-cac-nha-bao-luu-vong-tho-nhi-ky/)
- [Purge in Numbers](https://turkeypurge.org/category/purge-in-numbers/)
- [Reacciones Internacionales](https://turkeypurge.org/category/reacciones-internacionales/)
- [Reacções Internacionais](https://turkeypurge.org/category/reaccoes-internacionais/)
- [Reagimet e Ndërkombëtarëve](https://turkeypurge.org/category/reagimet-e-nderkombetareve/)
- [Reaksi Internasional](https://turkeypurge.org/category/reaksi-internasional/)
- [Sot pas masave të rrepta](https://turkeypurge.org/category/sot-pas-masave-te-rrepta/)
- [Tragedi manusia](https://turkeypurge.org/category/tragedi-manusia/)
- [Tragedia Humana](https://turkeypurge.org/category/tragedia-humana/)
- [Tragjedi Njerëzore](https://turkeypurge.org/category/tragjedi-njerezore/)
- [Tragédias Humanas](https://turkeypurge.org/category/tragedias-humanas/)
- [Turkey Coup Truth](https://turkeypurge.org/category/turkey-coup-truth/)
- [Turkey’s Exiled Journalists Speak Out](https://turkeypurge.org/category/turkeys-exiled-journalists-speak-out/)
- [Türkische Exiljournalisten berichten](https://turkeypurge.org/category/turkische-exiljournalisten-berichten/)
- [Актуелните остри мерки на Турската влада](https://turkeypurge.org/category/актуелните-остри-мерки-на-турската-вл/)
- [Меѓународни реакции](https://turkeypurge.org/category/меѓународни-реакции/)
- [انسانی سانحے](https://turkeypurge.org/category/انسانی-سانحے/)
- [آج کے کریک ڈاون میں](https://turkeypurge.org/category/آج-کے-کریک-ڈاون-میں/)
- [بین الاقوامی رد عمل](https://turkeypurge.org/category/بین-الاقوامی-رد-عمل/)
- [การปราบปรามอย่างรุนแรงวันนี้](https://turkeypurge.org/category/การปราบปรามอย่างรุนแรง/)
- [โศกนาฏกรรมมนุษย์](https://turkeypurge.org/category/โศกนาฏกรรมมนุษย์/)
- [ការឆ្លើយតបរបស់អន្តរជាតិ](https://turkeypurge.org/category/ការឆ្លើយតបរបស់អន្តរជាត/)
- [សកម្មភាពបង្រ្កាបប្រចាំថ្ងៃ](https://turkeypurge.org/category/សកម្មភាពបង្រ្កាបប្រចាំ/)
- [សោកនាដកម្មមនុស្សជាតិ](https://turkeypurge.org/category/សោកនាដកម្មមនុស្សជាតិ/)
- [អ្នកកាសែតតួកគីដែលត្រូវគេនិរទេស ចេញមុខបកស្រាយ](https://turkeypurge.org/category/អ្នកកាសែតតួកគីដែលត្រូវ/)