Turkey arrests hundreds ahead of NATO summit in Ankara

Turkish authorities have detained more than 200 people in the days before the NATO leaders’ summit scheduled for 7‑8 July in Ankara. Official figures cite 178 formal arrests on terrorism charges, including alleged links to the Islamic State and left‑wing groups such as DHKP‑C and TKP/ML, while a total of 225 individuals have been held under judicial supervision. A 13‑day ban on public demonstrations and gatherings was imposed from 28 June to 10 July, and several journalists, notably from Halk TV, were denied accreditation for the summit.

The crackdown has drawn criticism from international press‑freedom organizations, which warn that the arrests and media restrictions undermine civil liberties ahead of a high‑profile diplomatic event that will host 32 NATO heads of state, including the United States president.