Turkish Red Crescent faces protests over Ayvalık olive grove sale

Officials at the Turkish Red Crescent’s Ayvalık Volunteer Service Point have resigned in protest over the decision to sell three olive groves in Ayvalık. Osman Arslan, an official at the service point, stated that the groves were donated by local philanthropists years ago and should not be sold to fund the construction of a new Red Crescent building in Balıkesir.

Ayvalık Mayor Mesut Ergin also expressed opposition to the sale, arguing that the lands represent a heritage left to future generations by donors and should not be viewed solely through an economic lens.

The Turkish Red Crescent issued a response denying that the Ayvalık branch leadership had resigned. The organization clarified that it does not currently have a branch in Ayvalık, noting that the Ayvalık Representation was closed in June 2025 and the Volunteer Service Point began operations in August 2025. The statement further noted that the individuals mentioned in reports were assigned to the Volunteer Service Point on a voluntary basis in September 2025.