Ahmet Özer, the mayor of Esenyurt, Istanbul’s most densely populated district, was arrested on 31 October for alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an organisation classified as terrorist by Türkiye, the EU, and numerous governments. Özer, a prominent member of the main opposition Republic Peoples Party (CHP), was subsequently removed from office and was replaced with Istanbul’s deputy governor, a government trustee. This move has been described as a “coup” by the CHP leader. The arrest was condemned by the opposition, who view the arrest as politically motivated and as having targeted Özer’s Kurdish identity. In November, prosecutors began investigating Özer over financing terrorism as well. Three other pro-Kurdish mayors in the country’s southeast were also dismissed and replaced by government-appointed trustees following similar allegations. 

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Hurriyet Daily (1), Hurriyet Daily (2), Medya News 

On 23 October, the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), a major defence company in Ankara was subject to a terrorist attack, leaving five dead and 22 injured. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist organisation, has claimed responsibility. The Turkish government has responded with airstrikes against targets in Iraq and Syria, where they believe the attackers are based.  

Sources: Al Jazeera, Hurriyet 

The government-controlled Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) blocked Instagram on 2 August without an official explanation or a court order, violating users’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information. Approximately 50 million of Türkiye's 85 million citizens use Instagram. The reason for the ban is unclear, but the move followed accusations from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's communications director, who claimed Meta, Instagram's parent company, had removed condolence messages about Ismail Haniyeh, the former Hamas political leader, killed in Iran. Some officials attributed the ban to Instagram’s failure to remove alleged criminal content. Türkiye's internet law grants authorities wide-ranging powers to block websites, and the country has previously restricted access to platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Wikipedia, with the European Court of Human Rights and Türkiye’s Constitutional Court ruling such actions violated free expression. Instagram access was restored on 10 August after an unspecified agreement with Meta. The Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that Instagram assured compliance with government requests on criminal activity and user censorship.

Sources: Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Human Rights Watch, Hurriyet, Euronews

Riots erupted in Melikgazi and spread to other areas after Turkish authorities arrested a Syrian man for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl in Kayseri. Angered by the news, Turkish residents vandalized Syrian-owned shops, cars, and homes, demanding the expulsion of Syrians. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the actions, announcing the detention of over 470 individuals. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the violence and xenophobia, blaming opposition parties for inciting it. The events led to retaliatory actions against Turkish troops in Syria, and to Türkiye closing several border crossings with Syria.  Türkiye, home to over 3.5 million Syrians since 2011 when the civil war started, has seen rising anti-refugee sentiment due to a severe economic crisis and high inflation. Similar riots occurred in 2021.

Sources: Dunya, Al Jazeera, Reuters

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has proposed an amendment to Article 339 of the Penal Code, which could lead to imprisonment of up to seven years for those who research Turkish citizens, institutions, or foreigners in Türkiye for foreign interests, harming national security or political interests. This is expected to particularly impact journalists and researchers. The legislation is similar to Georgia's recently approved ‘foreign agents’ law. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the Turkish government to abandon the legislation, expressing strong concern that it would negatively impact freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as journalists working for foreign-funded media could be jailed under the proposed amendment.

Sources: Reporters without Borders, Turkish Minute (1), Turkish Minute (2), Balkan Insight, International IDEA

Update: In November, the ruling AKP removed the law from an omnibus bill, indicating it could be reintroduced following further consultations. This decision followed strong opposition from civil society, journalists, and rights groups. 

Sources: Amnesty International (1), Amnesty International (2), Bianet