According to security sources, Turkish police detained 110 people for alleged militant ties on Tuesday. A pro-Kurdish lawmaker alleged politicians, lawyers, and journalists are among those arrested in searches tied to the May 14 elections. The operation centred on Diyarbakir, the largest city in primarily Kurdish southeast Turkey and spanned 21 provinces. Targeting people suspected of having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrilla organisation.
Security sources described the raids on people suspected of having ties to the PKK as a “counterterror” operation.
The PKK, a militant group that has long battled for more autonomy for Kurds in Turkey. Moreover, it is listed as a terrorist organisation not just by Turkey. Also by the United States and the European Union.
However, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decided twice that the organisation granted EU status without due procedure.
The Turkish government holds the PKK responsible for roughly 40,000 murders. Since the organisation began fighting for a Kurdish homeland in southeast Turkey in 1984.
However, since the beginning of the rebellion, both sides have been accused of crimes.
Tayip Temel of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), a pro-Kurdish politician, states that the operation was motivated by fears that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AK Party will be defeated in the approaching elections.
“On the eve of the election, out of fear of losing power, they have resorted to detention operations again,” he tweeted.
Tens of politicians, including top members of his party, journalists, artists, and attorneys, he added, detained in Diyarbakir early Tuesday.
Reporters Without Borders says on its website, “As the 2023 election approaches, the Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘hyper-presidency’ has stepped up its attacks on journalists. In a bid to deflect attention away from the country’s economic. Moreover, democratic decline and to shore up its political base.”