Latest news with #CongressofLocalandRegionalAuthorities
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Turkey arrests activist after Council of Europe speech on rights violations
ANKARA: Turkish police have arrested activist Enes Hocaogullari following his speech at the Council of Europe condemning democratic backsliding in Turkey. The 23-year-old was detained upon arrival at Ankara airport and is currently held in Sincan prison, according to his lawyer Mahmut Seren. Seren described the arrest as politically motivated, linking it to Hocaogullari's criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. The activist had previously drawn scrutiny after addressing the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in March. As a youth delegate, Hocaogullari accused Turkey of human rights violations and excessive police force against protesters. His remarks came shortly after Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges. The Council of Europe condemned Hocaogullari's detention, calling it a violation of free speech. Marc Cools, president of the Congress, stated that such actions undermine democratic principles in Europe. Turkish authorities have intensified crackdowns on dissent since Imamoglu's arrest, detaining nearly 2,000 protesters. Most detainees, including students and journalists, have since been released. - AFP
07-06-2025
- Politics
Japanese Professor Given Ukrainian Award for Humanitarian Efforts
News from Japan World Jun 7, 2025 17:12 (JST) Tokyo, June 7 (Jiji Press)--Kobe Gakuin University professor Yoshihiko Okabe was given the Golden Heart award by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday for making great contributions for humanitarian aid in Ukraine under Russia's invasion. Okabe, an expert on Ukraine issues, and others received the award in an event in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, according to the presidential office. The professor has published several books on Ukraine. He also gives lectures about the country. Last year, Ukraine's Honorary Consulate in Kobe was set up at the university in the western Japan city for cultural and academic exchanges with the country, and Okabe became Ukraine's honorary consul in the city. The other awardees included Veronique Bertholle, deputy mayor of Strasbourg, France, and Marc Cools, president of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
