Key facts
- Turkish authorities detained 209 individuals in Ankara in anti-terrorism operations.
- Arrest warrants were issued for 241 suspects linked to militant organizations including Islamic State.
- The detentions occurred a day after Ankara banned public gatherings ahead of the NATO summit.
- Opposition groups criticized the raids as a crackdown on democracy and civic freedoms.
- Detainees included journalists, LGBTQ+ rights activists, and leftist politicians.
Turkish authorities detained 209 people in anti-terrorism operations in Ankara on Tuesday, prosecutors announced. The raids followed a day after Ankara implemented restrictions on public gatherings, citing security concerns related to the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8. Prosecutors stated that arrest warrants were issued for 241 suspects involved with various militant organizations, including Islamic State, DHKP-C, MLKP, and TKP/ML. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining individuals. Opposition groups and rights organizations condemned the detentions, characterizing them as part of a broader crackdown on democratic freedoms and civic engagement. Among the detained were journalists, LGBTQ+ rights activists, and leftist politicians. Rights groups reported that detainees faced a 24-hour restriction on legal counsel access.