Turkey detains 225 activists and journalists ahead of NATO summit

In the run‑up to the July 7‑8 NATO summit, Ankara’s prosecutor ordered a coordinated security operation that resulted in the detention of 225 people, including academics, journalists and volunteers of the TEMA environmental foundation. After police and gendarmerie raids, 135 suspects were sent to court; six were released, 129 were charged with alleged membership in an armed terrorist organization, and a judge ordered pre‑trial detention for 103 of them while imposing judicial supervision on another 26.

Among those arrested were Nevzat Özer, TEMA’s Ankara representative; associate professor Emel Memiş Parmaksız; journalist Yıldız Tar, editor of Kaos GL; and lawyers Semra Demir and Kürşat Bafra. The prosecutor claimed the operation aimed to “uncover terrorist activities” in the country. The detainees denied any links, with Tar stating, “I heard the name of the organization for the first time,” and Parmaksız calling the accusations “totally unfounded.” The judge justified custody on the risk of flight, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.

The crackdown has drawn criticism from civil‑society groups and raises concerns about the use of anti‑terror laws to suppress dissent ahead of an important international summit.