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Erdogan bans images of jailed Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu as crackdown intensifies
In another sign of escalating standoff with opposition and shrinking space for dissent in Turkey, authorities there have imposed a ban on using images, sound recordings of jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and dozens of municipality staff members who were detained earlier.
Istanbul prosecutor's office made the announcement, banning all visual depictions of the key opposition figure and potential presidential contender.
Meanwhile, local media reported that police detained 44 people in the latest round of raids as part of a graft investigation.
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The development has raised concerns over Erdogan's relentless assault on Turkey's democracy even as supporters of Imamoglu hold protests nationwide. Just days back, Imamoglu's opposition Republican People's Party or CHP held a massive rally in Istanbul, pressing Erdogan for the mayor's release. They also view the ongoing probe against him as politically motivated.
Imamoglu was detained in March on corruption charges that he has vehemently denied. The CHP has accused Erdogan of using the judiciary to prevent the mayor from running in the presidential polls. On the other hand, the president has accused the CHP of 'doing everything to disturb the public peace, to polarise the nation.'
Notably, Imamoglu is the frontrunner for CHP's nomination, but his candidacy took a hit after Istanbul University annulled his diploma in March this year, citing alleged irregularities with Council of Higher Education regulations. Under the Turkish Constitution, a presidential candidate must hold a higher education degree.
Imamoglu alleged the university's decision was 'illegal'.
Now, the latest move to ban depictions of the Istanbul mayor has intensified confrontations between the ruling and opposition factions.
The deepening political crisis and suppression of democratic rights have cast a gloomy shadow over financial markets as well.
Since Imamoglu's arrest and ensuing protests, the Turkish lira has come under great pressure.
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Turkish authorities had to raise interest rates and spend around $50 billion in foreign reserves to keep the currency stabilised.
Does Erdogan want to further extend his rule?
There are concerns that Erdogan might be looking for ways to alter the country's constitution so that he can hold on to power even after his term ends in three years.
Erdogan first led the country as prime minister from 2003 and was elected president in 2014. However, he can't run for elections again unless rules are changed.
Erdogan has denied allegations that he wants to change the constitution to extend his rule, saying he was 'not interested' in being re-elected.
'We want the new constitution not for ourselves, but for our country. I have no interest in being re-elected or running for office again,' he told reporters earlier this week.
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Iran says open to nuclear talks only if US rebuilds trust
Iran is open to nuclear talks with the US if Washington takes steps to restore trust, a senior diplomat said. The statement comes before a crucial EU meeting following a ceasefire and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities read more Iran is willing to negotiate its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington makes genuine efforts to re-establish trust, a top Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a major meeting with European officials. The conference will be the first since a truce was agreed upon during Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June, during which US B-52 bombers targeted nuclear-related sites in Iran. Iranian officials will participate in the talks alongside representatives from the E3 countries, which include Britain, France, and Germany, as well as Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union's foreign policy. In May, a similar meeting had taken place in the Turkish city. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's conditions Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated on social media on Thursday that Tehran would ask that 'several key principles' be respected in talks with the United States. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States,' he said, adding that there was no place 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to accept and recognise Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which include the freedom to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the removal of severe economic sanctions against Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. 'We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The US withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and US strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a US base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with US, but on one condition
Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, a senior Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a key meeting with European officials. That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. (AFP) That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw U.S. B-52 bombers strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. The discussions will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany — known as the E3 nations — and will include the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May. Iran's conditions In a social media post, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Thursday that for talks with the Unites States, Tehran would seek that 'several key principles' be upheld. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," he said, adding there could be no room 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to respect and recognize Iran's rights under the international agreement known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. "We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Fake diplomat arrested from Ghaziabad: Multiple shell companies, 11 bank accounts in 4 countries — ‘Ambassador of Westarctica's' ops dates back to 2 decades
After the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) busted a fake embassy operating from a rented house in Ghaziabad's Kavi Nagar, and arrested a man who claimed to be the 'Ambassador of Westarctica', the police on Thursday said that they have uncovered a complex international financial web – stretching from Rajasthan's marble mines to banks in Dubai, Mauritius and the United Kingdom. In a statement released on Wednesday, the STF said that 47-year-old Harsh Vardhan Jain had registered multiple shell companies abroad and maintained at least 11 bank accounts in four countries. It added that Jain's financial operations dated back to nearly two decades and were built on a 'modus operandi of fraud, hawala and brokerage' carried out under the garb of international diplomacy. The police said that Jain, who was arrested late Tuesday, has admitted during questioning that he worked closely with controversial figures like godman Chandraswami and arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi during his time in London. He also allegedly partnered with Ehsan Ali Syed, a Hyderabad-based businessman who took Turkish citizenship and is now serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence in Switzerland for defrauding multiple companies by promising large loans and taking brokerage fees in advance. According to the STF, Jain's ties to Syed were facilitated by Chandraswami, who introduced the two during Jain's stay in London in the early 2000s. It added that one of Syed's firms, Western Advisory Group – based in Switzerland and Bahrain – collected over 25 million pounds in brokerage from Swiss companies between 2008 and 2011. 'In collaboration with Ehsan, Harsh Vardhan formed several shell firms, including State Trading Corporation Limited, East India Company UK Limited, Island General Trading Co LLC (UK), Indira Overseas Limited (Mauritius), and Cameron Ispat SARL (Cameroon),' the STF said. Investigators have also identified at least six bank accounts that have been linked to Jain in UAE, three in UK, one in Mauritius, and one in India, the STF said. According to the STF, Jain's father J D Jain was a reputed industrialist and the owner of Jain Rolling Mill in Ghaziabad. '…there were mines in Banswara and Kakroli in Rajasthan by the name of Indira Marbles and 'JD Marbles', where (Jain) has also worked. Marble was also exported to London from these mines,' it added. In his statement, the police said, Jain has said that after completing his education, he had moved to Dubai in 2006 and allegedly began duping businessmen in the name of providing jobs abroad. 'He worked as a broker in Gulf and African countries. When he returned to India in 2011, he resumed operations from his family home before shifting to the rented bungalow,' the STF statement said. Jain, who the police said holds an MBA degree from London, had allegedly been using his connections and the illusion of a diplomatic clout to convince businessmen that he could secure them international deals and jobs abroad. 'He used false flags, fake diplomatic number plates, forged passports and seals to give the impression of being an influential international broker,' Senior Superintendent of Police (STF) Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan had told The Indian Express. He had also acquired honorary 'ambassador' and 'consigliere' titles from several self-styled micronations like Seborga, Poulvia, and Lodonia, which he used to influence people and extract money, police had said.
