Turkey

Political Tensions Rise in Turkey as Lawyer Claims Fabricated Charges Against Istanbul Mayor Signal a Threat to Legal Rights

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ANKARA, Turkey — In the latest escalation of Turkey’s crackdown on opposition figures, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu remains jailed amid claims that his legal defense team is facing fabricated charges aimed at criminalizing their profession. His lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, who has been in custody since last month, described the allegations as entirely unfounded, asserting that they threaten the very concept of legal defense in the country. Pehlivan, who previously faced a day of detention in March, has been accused of belonging to an unspecified criminal organization. This charges come as authorities broaden their investigation into … Read more

Turkey Escalates Crackdown: Arrests of Istanbul Mayor’s Lawyer and Journalists Deepen Unrest

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ISTANBUL, Turkey — Turkey has escalated its actions against anti-government demonstrators recently, detaining the attorney of the imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, and increasing actions against journalists. The arrest of Imamoglu on March 16 has spurred the largest public dissent Turkey has seen in over a decade, prompting a chilling effect among protestors who persist in demonstrations amidst heightened repression. Imamoglu, who is widely regarded as a significant challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had his lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, taken into custody under dubious charges, which opposition sources claim are related to accusations of … Read more

Istanbul Mayor’s Lawyer Arrested Amid Widespread Protests and Media Crackdown in Turkey

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Istanbul, Turkey – In a recent development that has heightened tensions in Turkey, Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul currently detained under allegations of corruption, reported through his legal team that his lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, was also detained. The charge against Pehlivan was described as unfounded by Imamoglu, who communicated via a post on social media platform X. The arrest of Pehlivan, who represented the mayor during his legal proceedings last Sunday, adds another layer to an already volatile political climate. Imamoglu, regarded as a principal adversary to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was arrested a … Read more

Turkey Arrests Attorney of Imprisoned Istanbul Mayor, Opposition Party Reports

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Istanbul, Turkey – In a recent move that has stirred controversy, Turkish authorities have detained a lawyer representing the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, as reported by the country’s main opposition party. The lawyer’s arrest marks the latest development in a series of legal challenges facing Ekrem Imamoglu, the city’s incumbent mayor and a prominent figure in Turkish politics. Imamoglu, who is affiliated with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has been a significant political figure since defeating a candidate from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party in the 2019 mayoral election. His victory was seen … Read more