
Mayors arrested in Turkey's crackdown on opposition
Abdurrahman Tutdere, the mayor of Adiyaman, and Zeydan Karalar, who heads Adana municipality, were arrested in early-morning raids on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Both are members of the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP.
The CHP mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bocek, was arrested with two other suspects in a separate bribery investigation by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Anadolu reported.
Karalar was arrested in Istanbul and Tutdere was arrested in the capital, Ankara, where he has a home. Tutdere posted on X that he was being taken to Istanbul.
Ten people, including Karalar and Tutdere, were arrested as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations involving organised crime, bribery and bid-rigging.
Details of the charges against them were not immediately released but the operation follows the arrests of scores of officials from municipalities controlled by the CHP in recent months.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely considered the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's 22-year rule, was jailed four months ago over corruption allegations.
The former CHP mayor of Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, and 137 municipal officials were detained earlier this week as part of an investigation into alleged tender-rigging and fraud.
On Friday, ex-mayor Tunc Soyer and 59 others were jailed pending trial in what Soyer's lawyer described as "a clearly unjust, unlawful and politically motivated decision".
Also Friday, it was reported by state-run media that the CHP mayor of Manavgat, a Mediterranean resort city in Antalya province, and 34 others were detained over alleged corruption.
CHP officials have faced waves of arrests in 2025 that many consider aimed at neutralising Turkey's main opposition party.
The government insists prosecutors and the judiciary act independently but the arrest of Istanbul's Imamoglu led to the largest street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade.
Imamoglu was officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate following his imprisonment.
Turkey's next election is due in 2028 but could come sooner.
The mayors of three major cities in southern Turkey are behind bars, state-run media reports, joining a growing list of opposition figures detained since the mayor of Istanbul was imprisoned in March.
Abdurrahman Tutdere, the mayor of Adiyaman, and Zeydan Karalar, who heads Adana municipality, were arrested in early-morning raids on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Both are members of the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP.
The CHP mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bocek, was arrested with two other suspects in a separate bribery investigation by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Anadolu reported.
Karalar was arrested in Istanbul and Tutdere was arrested in the capital, Ankara, where he has a home. Tutdere posted on X that he was being taken to Istanbul.
Ten people, including Karalar and Tutdere, were arrested as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations involving organised crime, bribery and bid-rigging.
Details of the charges against them were not immediately released but the operation follows the arrests of scores of officials from municipalities controlled by the CHP in recent months.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely considered the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's 22-year rule, was jailed four months ago over corruption allegations.
The former CHP mayor of Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, and 137 municipal officials were detained earlier this week as part of an investigation into alleged tender-rigging and fraud.
On Friday, ex-mayor Tunc Soyer and 59 others were jailed pending trial in what Soyer's lawyer described as "a clearly unjust, unlawful and politically motivated decision".
Also Friday, it was reported by state-run media that the CHP mayor of Manavgat, a Mediterranean resort city in Antalya province, and 34 others were detained over alleged corruption.
CHP officials have faced waves of arrests in 2025 that many consider aimed at neutralising Turkey's main opposition party.
The government insists prosecutors and the judiciary act independently but the arrest of Istanbul's Imamoglu led to the largest street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade.
Imamoglu was officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate following his imprisonment.
Turkey's next election is due in 2028 but could come sooner.
The mayors of three major cities in southern Turkey are behind bars, state-run media reports, joining a growing list of opposition figures detained since the mayor of Istanbul was imprisoned in March.
Abdurrahman Tutdere, the mayor of Adiyaman, and Zeydan Karalar, who heads Adana municipality, were arrested in early-morning raids on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Both are members of the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP.
The CHP mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bocek, was arrested with two other suspects in a separate bribery investigation by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Anadolu reported.
Karalar was arrested in Istanbul and Tutdere was arrested in the capital, Ankara, where he has a home. Tutdere posted on X that he was being taken to Istanbul.
Ten people, including Karalar and Tutdere, were arrested as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations involving organised crime, bribery and bid-rigging.
Details of the charges against them were not immediately released but the operation follows the arrests of scores of officials from municipalities controlled by the CHP in recent months.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely considered the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's 22-year rule, was jailed four months ago over corruption allegations.
The former CHP mayor of Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, and 137 municipal officials were detained earlier this week as part of an investigation into alleged tender-rigging and fraud.
On Friday, ex-mayor Tunc Soyer and 59 others were jailed pending trial in what Soyer's lawyer described as "a clearly unjust, unlawful and politically motivated decision".
Also Friday, it was reported by state-run media that the CHP mayor of Manavgat, a Mediterranean resort city in Antalya province, and 34 others were detained over alleged corruption.
CHP officials have faced waves of arrests in 2025 that many consider aimed at neutralising Turkey's main opposition party.
The government insists prosecutors and the judiciary act independently but the arrest of Istanbul's Imamoglu led to the largest street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade.
Imamoglu was officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate following his imprisonment.
Turkey's next election is due in 2028 but could come sooner.
The mayors of three major cities in southern Turkey are behind bars, state-run media reports, joining a growing list of opposition figures detained since the mayor of Istanbul was imprisoned in March.
Abdurrahman Tutdere, the mayor of Adiyaman, and Zeydan Karalar, who heads Adana municipality, were arrested in early-morning raids on Saturday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Both are members of the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP.
The CHP mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bocek, was arrested with two other suspects in a separate bribery investigation by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Anadolu reported.
Karalar was arrested in Istanbul and Tutdere was arrested in the capital, Ankara, where he has a home. Tutdere posted on X that he was being taken to Istanbul.
Ten people, including Karalar and Tutdere, were arrested as part of an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into allegations involving organised crime, bribery and bid-rigging.
Details of the charges against them were not immediately released but the operation follows the arrests of scores of officials from municipalities controlled by the CHP in recent months.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely considered the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's 22-year rule, was jailed four months ago over corruption allegations.
The former CHP mayor of Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, and 137 municipal officials were detained earlier this week as part of an investigation into alleged tender-rigging and fraud.
On Friday, ex-mayor Tunc Soyer and 59 others were jailed pending trial in what Soyer's lawyer described as "a clearly unjust, unlawful and politically motivated decision".
Also Friday, it was reported by state-run media that the CHP mayor of Manavgat, a Mediterranean resort city in Antalya province, and 34 others were detained over alleged corruption.
CHP officials have faced waves of arrests in 2025 that many consider aimed at neutralising Turkey's main opposition party.
The government insists prosecutors and the judiciary act independently but the arrest of Istanbul's Imamoglu led to the largest street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade.
Imamoglu was officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate following his imprisonment.
Turkey's next election is due in 2028 but could come sooner.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Perth Now
11-07-2025
- Perth Now
Shirtless Baz? Liberal leader soaks up sun on Greek holiday
WA Liberal Party leader Basil Zempilas has traded his tailored suits for boardies and thongs as he enjoys a sunny family holiday in Greece. Mr Zempilas joined his wife Amy and children Ava, Chloe and Anthony on the island of Kastellorizo for the family's third visit to the serene eastern Mediterranean destination in seven years. In a series of images shared to Instagram by Ms Zempilas, the Opposition leader cut a relaxed figure as he soaked in the European sunshine and azure waters. WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas on a family holiday in Greece. Unknown Credit: Unknown / Instagram WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas on a family holiday in Greece. Unknown Credit: Unknown / Instagram 'It's impossible to capture the magic that is Kastellorizo. The place my husband's family are from. Where we were married and two of our children were christened,' Ms Zempilas wrote. Framed by boats, quaint restaurants and gorgeous lagoons, the politician appeared noticeably at ease — donning Aviator sunglasses and fishing with his son — as he enjoyed the change of pace. WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas on a family holiday in Greece. Unknown Credit: Unknown / Instagram WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas on a family holiday in Greece. Unknown Credit: Unknown / Instagram Kazzi — as the island is often referred to — lies just 2km off the Turkish coast as Greece's easternmost island. In February, Conde Nast Traveller labelled it 'the secret Greek island to know about for 2025'. Featuring a backdrop of hills shadowing pastel-coloured houses, popular activities include visits to The Blue Grotto sea cave and snorkelling at nearby Saint George Island. Mr Zempilas was noticeably absent from his family's earlier pit stops at the popular tourist islands of Naxos and Santorini. While ostensibly switching his political brain off on his arrival, the former lord mayor's social media feed remains actively campaigning for the Liberal Party.

Sky News AU
09-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has allegedly ‘shot Palestinians' lining up for food
Herald Sun Reporter Carly Douglas sheds light on why Mediterranean restaurant Miznon was targeted over the weekend by anti-Israel protestors. 'The owner seems to have a connection to this group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and these activists claim that there is evidence that some of their staff members have been killing Palestinians in Gaza,' Ms Douglas told Sky News host Rita Panahi. 'When it comes to what these activists are saying, they believe they have proof that some of the staff members on the ground in Gaza have shot Palestinians that are lining up for food.'

The Age
07-07-2025
- The Age
Gaza buffer zone plan outlined ahead of key Netanyahu-Trump meeting
As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages, but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war – a condition demanded by Hamas – but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, 'President [Donald] Trump guarantees Israel's adherence' to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump 'will personally announce the ceasefire agreement'. The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Trump said last week that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire, but it was unclear if the terms were those in the document reviewed by AP. Hamas has requested some changes, but has not specified them. Separately, an Israeli official said the security cabinet late on Saturday approved sending aid into northern Gaza, where civilians suffer from acute food shortages. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the decision with media, declined to give more details. Northern Gaza has seen just a trickle of aid enter since Israel ended the latest ceasefire in March. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's closest distribution site is near the Netzarim corridor, south of Gaza City, that separates the territory's north and south. Israel hits 130 targets across Gaza In Gaza, hospital officials said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 38 Palestinians on Sunday. Israeli strikes hit two houses in Gaza City, killing 20 Palestinians and wounding 25 others, said Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of Shifa Hospital, which serves the area. Israel's military said it had struck several Hamas fighters in two locations in the area of Gaza City. In southern Gaza, Israeli strikes killed 18 Palestinians in Mawasi, on the Mediterranean coast, where thousands of displaced people live in tents, said officials at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. It said two families were among the dead. 'My brother, his wife, his four children, my cousin's son and his daughter ... Eight people are gone,' said Saqer Abu Al-Kheir as people gathered on the sand for prayers and burials. Israel's military had no immediate comment on those strikes but said it had struck 130 targets across Gaza in the past 24 hours, including Hamas command and control structures, storage facilities, weapons and launchers, and that they had killed a number of militants. Separately, Israel attacked Houthi targets in three Yemeni ports and a power plant, the Israeli military said on Monday, marking the first Israeli attack on Yemen in almost a month. Residents told Reuters the Israeli strikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah put the main power station out of service, leaving the city in darkness. The Houthi military spokesperson said air defences confronted the Israeli attack 'by using a large number of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles'. Rift over ending the war Ahead of the indirect talks with Hamas in Qatar, Netanyahu's office asserted that the militant group was seeking 'unacceptable' changes to the ceasefire proposal. Hamas gave a 'positive' response late on Friday to the latest proposal. The militant group has sought guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Previous negotiations have stalled over Hamas' demands for guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the group's destruction. Loading The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Most have been released in earlier ceasefires. Israel responded with an offensive that has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, says Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry, which is under Gaza's Hamas government, does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The UN and other international organisations consider their figures to be the most reliable statistics on war casualties.