Deputy SPD parliamentary group leader Siemtje Möller told the Funke media group that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ongoing attacks on the opposition and the rule of law must be addressed at the meeting of heads of state and government. She expects Merz to raise this clearly with the Turkish side. The summit takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ankara.
Shortly before the meeting, Turkish authorities conducted raids in several provinces and arrested numerous people. According to Turkish media and unions, those arrested include journalists, academics, and members of left-wing groups. The authorities justify the actions as counterterrorism; critics see them as an attempt to suppress protests.
The head of the foreign desk at broadcaster T24, Buse Sötüglü, and journalist Ceren Erdogdu from Oda TV were arrested in their homes and taken into police custody, according to their employers. Lawyer Erman Öztürk suspects a connection to the NATO summit: the apparent goal is to intimidate democrats, leftists, and the press. Comedian Deniz Göktas was also arrested; he is accused of insulting Islam and Erdoğan.
Source: www.faz.net
