Overview

• On July 5, Turkish prosecutors detained the CHP mayors of Adana, Adıyaman and Antalya on extortion and corruption allegations, expanding a series of investigations against opposition officials.
• Investigations now include a probe into CHP leader Özgür Özel for alleged “presidential insult” after his remarks condemning the mayoral arrests.
• Since October 2024, judicial actions have targeted more than 14 CHP mayors and hundreds of party members on charges ranging from bribery to organized crime.
• The CHP denounces the charges as politically motivated efforts by President Erdogan’s administration to undermine its main electoral rival.
• Mass protests have resumed in Istanbul, Ankara and other cities in response to what supporters call a systematic suppression of dissent and a threat to Turkey’s democratic institutions.