I consider myself a close follower of the news, but I have struggled to track who has been detained or arrested in Turkey over the past few months.
The administration appears to have entered into one of its temporary repressions, targeting opposition figures.
pattern
This pattern first appeared in late 2009, built on forged evidence and continued for many years through false trials organized by security forces and the network of Fethura Gülen within the judiciary.
The second attack follows the 2013 GEZI protest, the third after the 2016 failed coup, this time targeting Gülenists (now labelled Fetö terrorist organization). .
Don’t trick a short pause
But don’t misunderstand the period between these attacks in an age of democracy where freedom of speech and human rights are respected.
Opposition, especially Kurdish politicians and journalists, have always been the brunt of oppression. The mayor was seized and sentenced to prison for what he said on television or posted online. At least they lose their jobs.
Many of my friends and colleagues have endured this choking atmosphere for decades. And trust me, it’s not something I’ve really used to. You think you’ll do that, but you won’t. It’s a constant trauma.
“Fourth Wave”
Now it appears we’ve entered the fourth wave. Wind gusts of arrest and detention targeting opposition figures – “opposition” is Erdogan’s loose category of Turkey. The target could be members of the opposition or simply people who said things the government disliked.
Over the past few weeks, oppression has intensified. CHP Youth Branchhead was temporarily detained over a social media post. Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamor is widely seen as Erdogan’s strongest future challenger, but is currently facing a judicial investigation to criticize his arrest.
Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, was detained for allegedly humiliating Erdogan. Two CHP district mayors of Istanbul have been arrested. One was removed for terrorism assumptions, the other for soft collusion – the third mayor of the East.
Meanwhile, six elected pro-Kurdish DEM party mayors were rejected against the same complaint and replaced by government-designated councillors (Kayyum).
New Absurd Chapter
And now, Ayşe Barım, a well-known talent manager who represents top actors, including the Absurd New Chapter: the epic Suleiman star, has been arrested. Her crime allegations? They are sending the actor to Geji’s protests and trying to overthrow the government.
Yes, it’s as slick as you can hear. The actors in question show photos from 12 years ago in protest, the actors simply sit and walk, do ordinary people, join their free will gheji directly from the magnificent Suleiman set. I explained that.
The prosecutor didn’t care. Balm was arrested. The two actors are currently investigating for perjury, including Halit Ergenç, who played Suleiman himself.
The initial investigation of Ayşe Barım and her agency began several weeks ago with accusations of monopoly in the film and television industry. Fee? That she “dominated” the sector on the actor’s roster – in reality, it meant she was doing exceptional work for her clients.
I haven’t gotten their cut
But the real problem wasn’t her success. The fact that production companies close to the government are not cutting the booming revenues of Turkish television industry.
And the numbers aren’t small. The Turkish television sector has generated more than $500 million in exports in 150 countries, considering its digital platforms.
Turkish dramas serve as dedicated viewers not only in the Middle East and Latin America, but also in the US, Australia and across Europe.
Factors behind Erdogan’s latest attack
Let’s understand this latest attack by Erdogan’s regime. Why are you so indifferent? Why, why?
There are three factors during the play, and everything is intertwined.
1. The Threat of Ekrem Imamol
In the local elections in March 2023, the AKP lost almost all major cities to the opposition CHP. Erdogan’s arch enemy, Imamor, is the most likely presidential challenger in 2028 or earlier.
Several legal cases against him are already in motion and are designed to cripple his political career, even if he doesn’t incarcerate him. This wave of investigation will prevail any major protest or resistance if Imamol is disqualified from running.
2. The need to be challenged prior to constitutional changes
Erdogan must amend the constitution and start operation in the third term. Attempts to drive these changes, coupled with economic collapse — rising poverty, increasing costs of living and increasing dissatisfaction even among AKP bases — can spark protests.
The administration makes it clear: dissent is filled with iron fist.
3. A sense of excuse
Erdogan’s inner circle believes they emerged as winners of the Syrian quagmire, and believes that the current geopolitical climate allows him to act without consequences.
They target critics, opposition figures and public personalities and arrest them. Because they can. why? So, why?
Conclusion
We witness the silent act of an authoritarian regime shaking around the edges.
