Latest news with #Islamic-conservative
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkey detains 56 over social media posts amid Istanbul mayor probe
Turkish police have detained 56 people accused of inciting unrest through provocative social media posts, state news agency Anadolu said on Saturday. It comes amid a broader investigation targeting the secular opposition's Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key rival to long-time Islamic-conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. İmamoğlu's detention on Wednesday has sparked demonstrations across the country. Detention warrants were issued for a total of 94 suspects accused of posting "provocative" calls to protest and create public "panic," Anadolu cited the Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office as saying. Police carried out simultaneous raids, detaining 56, and are searching for 38 others, said Anadolu. Authorities seized illegal drugs during searches at the suspects' homes, it added. Late Thursday, a total of 97 people were detained at demonstrations against İmamoğlu's detention, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on social media platform X. The investigation against İmamoğlu is part of a sweeping probe involving 106 suspects over corruption and terror allegations. İmamoğlu has denied any wrongdoing and described the case as politically motivated. İmamoğlu's Republican People's Party (CHP) is preparing to name him as their presidential candidate on Sunday. İmamoğlu commended the protests he said were aimed at protecting "democracy" as an "inspiration" to the world, in a post on X on Saturday. He urged his supporters to proceed with Sunday's vote. "I invite all our citizens to be a part of this great enthusiasm ... The nation is great. Sovereignty belongs to the people unconditionally," he said. İmamoğlu is currently testifying at Istanbul police headquarters where he has been held since Wednesday, Anadolu reported. The mayor is in good health and his morale is high, his lawyer and CHP Istanbul lawmaker Turan Taşkın Özer told dpa over the phone. He is next expected to appear at Istanbul's high-security Çağlayan courthouse but exact timing is unclear, Özer added. If İmamoğlu is convicted on terrorism charges, Turkish law allows the authorities replace him with a government-affiliated official.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkish draft law could penalize non-traditional gender expression
A leaked draft law, reportedly prepared by Turkey's ruling party, could criminalize behaviour that does not align with traditional gender roles, opposition and rights groups have warned. According to the document, seen by dpa, individuals who "encourage, praise or promote" actions against "biological sex and general morality" could face up to three years in prison. The draft law also proposes jail terms of up to four years for same-sex couples who hold symbolic wedding ceremonies. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Turkey. Further restrictions on gender reassignment measures could include raising the minimum age to 21 from 18, the draft states, in addition to requiring court approval and a psychological assessment. The proposal is justified as protecting the "institution of the family," a key theme for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Islamic-conservative ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Gökce Gökcen warned that the law's vague wording could criminalize actions as minor as men wearing skirts or nail polish. Local LGBTQ+ rights group Kaos GL condemned the proposal as unconstitutional, arguing it would effectively criminalize people's identities. It remains unclear if or when the draft law could be submitted to parliament.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Report: Former Germany player Özil joins Erdogan's party board
Former Germany international Mesut Özil has become a board member of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP party, the Anadolu news agency reported on Sunday. According to the report, the 2014 World Cup champion was appointed to the board during the Islamic-conservative party congress in Ankara alongside 38 new members. The board, known as MKYK, consists of 75 members in total. In practice, the party board has little significance. A constitutional amendment in 2017 replaced the parliamentary system in Turkey with a presidential system. Since then, Erdogan has been able to rule largely without restriction. In addition, many parts of the judiciary system are under the control of the government, as the EU Commission has certified. According to Anadolu, Erdogan has been re-elected as party leader at the congress with all 1,547 votes cast. Özil's Germany career effectively ended after he was photographed with Erdogan in 2018, sparking a backlash in Germany about where the German-born Turk's loyalties lay. Last summer, Özil was spotted at the Olympic stadium in Berlin sitting behind Erdogan during the Euro 2024 match between Turkey and the Netherlands.
