Turkish authorities have intensified a sweeping crackdown on public life ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, arresting more than 200 people in raids across the capital last month, detaining a prominent comedian for satirical jokes about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and blocking a cruise ship carrying LGBTQ+ passengers from docking. The crackdown, condemned by Human Rights Watch as evidence of “ruthless intolerance of freedom of speech and assembly,” coincides with a ban on demonstrations in Ankara until 10 July and the arrival of leaders from all 32 NATO member states for the two-day summit starting Tuesday.

Deniz Göktaş, a 32-year-old stand-up comedian, was arrested last week upon arrival at Istanbul airport and placed in pre-trial detention after a performance in which he referred to Erdoğan as a dictator and made jokes about suicide bombers. The show, released on YouTube on 24 June, has been viewed nearly 9 million times. Göktaş told prosecutors that “the word ‘dictator’ is a political term, a topic frequently discussed in public,” and denied any intent to insult or belittle, according to testimony cited by Turkish news outlet Bianet . His arrest sparked protests outside a court in Istanbul on Friday.

In a separate incident, authorities in the coastal town of Aydın prevented the cruise ship *Atlantis*, operated by a company specializing in gay-friendly holidays, from docking, citing concerns that passengers’ behavior “did not align with the structure of our society and our moral values.” US actor and singer Patti LuPone, scheduled to perform onboard, took to social media to denounce the ban, writing: “The Atlantis cruise I am performing on next week has been banned from entering Turkey … simply because of who is onboard” .

The crackdown extends to political opposition and media. Turkish police detained more than 100 people on Sunday during an anti-NATO march organized by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) in Ankara’s Kızılay Square, using tear gas to disperse demonstrators who carried party flags and chanted against NATO’s presence. Similar protests under heavy police presence were held in Istanbul’s Taksim Square and Kadıköy district. The TKP is a legally registered political party, listed in Turkey’s official registry with Kemal İbrahim Okuyan as its leader .

At least two journalists were detained on Sunday, according to their media outlets and Agence France-Presse. Buse Söğütlü, international news editor at the online newspaper T24, and Ceren Erdoğdu of OdaTV were taken into custody, with Söğütlü’s lawyer stating the detention was believed to be linked to the NATO summit. Erol Önderoğlu, Turkey representative for Reporters Without Borders, condemned the “indiscriminate, arbitrary and chaotic operations” as a threat to press freedom .

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, arriving in Ankara on Monday, avoided directly criticizing Turkey’s actions but emphasized that democracy “also means that people can organize demonstrations if they so wish.” He framed the summit’s focus on defense spending and Ukraine cooperation while sidestepping questions about Erdoğan’s suppression of dissent .

Opposition figures have decried the crackdown. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), condemned the suppression of protests on social media, calling it a blow to Turkey’s democratic reputation. Meanwhile, jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s main political rival, was shuttled between three separate court hearings on Monday as NATO leaders began arriving in the capital .

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Articles

Turčija zavrnila križarko z LGBTQ-potniki in "besno" Patti LuPone Turčija je zavrnila zasidranje ladje za križarjenje z 2000 LGBTQ-potniki in broadwajsko zvezdnico Patti LuPone. Lokalne oblasti so poteze utemeljile z obrazložitvijo, da njihovo vedenje "ni v skladu s strukturo naše družbe in našimi moralnimi vrednotami".

rtv slovenia · about 2 hours ago

De vraag was niet óf, maar wanneer: waarom de Turkse comedian Deniz Göktas nu is opgepakt

de morgen · about 2 hours ago

Populär komiker gripen inför Erdogans Natomöte Inför Natos toppmöte i Ankara har hundratals gripanden skett, bland dem journalister och uppemot 50 åldrade miljöengagerade personer samt en mycket populär komiker. Han hotas av fängelse, anklagad för att ha smädat religionen och president Erdogan.

svenska dagbladet · about 2 hours ago

Turkey intensifies crackdown on public life in run-up to Nato summit in AnkaraMore than 200 arrested in raids, comedian and journalists jailed, gay-friendly cruise turned away and protests banned #News #Turkey #Nato #Istanbul

mastodon bot · about 2 hours ago

Rutte mira para otro lado ante las detenciones en Turquía por la cumbre de la OTAN en Ankara El secretario general de la Alianza Atlántica se limita a asegurar que "la democracia también significa que las personas puedan organizar manifestaciones si así lo desean" sin nombrar a Turquía ni al Gobierno de Erdogan La OTAN se juega su futuro ante el vendaval de desplantes de Trump Moverse por Ankara ser ha convertido en misión casi imposible. La posibilidad de hacer una manifestación contra la cumbre de la OTAN en la capital turca hace días que es motivo de detención. A pesar de que los mínimos derechos democráticos han saltado por los aires en Turquía ante la operación del Gobierno de Recep Tayyip Erdogan por evitar cualquier conato de protesta ante la reunión de los principales líderes de la Alianza Atlántica, el secretario general de la OTAN, Mark Rutte, ha pasado de puntillas ante las preguntas de la prensa sobre las presiones sobre la oposición política: La democracia también significa que las personas puedan organizar manifestaciones si así lo desean. Es decir, es mucho más que unas elecciones libres. El secretario general de la OTAN, sin nombrar a Turquía ni al Gobierno de Erdogan, ha señalado que en lo que respecta a la democracia, es mucho más que la celebración de elecciones. Las elecciones, por supuesto, son fundamentales en una democracia, pero la democracia también implica la existencia de medios de comunicación libres, que ustedes, los presentes en esta sala, puedan formular todas las preguntas que deseen, escribir los artículos que consideren oportunos y realizar sus investigaciones. Los medios de comunicación turcos han publicado que desde la semana pasada decenas de activistas de partidos opositores y organizaciones de izquierda críticos con la Alianza Atlántica fueron detenidos de manera preventiva con el argumento de mantener la seguridad por la cumbre de la OTAN. ¡Continúan las Operaciones Jardín de Rosas sin Espinas de la OTAN! Esta mañana se llevaron a cabo numerosos allanamientos domiciliarios en Esmirna, Estambul, Kocaeli, Antioquía, Adana, Hatay y Urfa, según publicó Toplumsal Muhalefet (Oposición Social), un grupo que engloba una amplia variedad de movimientos, iniciativas y partidos, mayoritariamente de izquierdas, que protestan contra el Ejecutivo de Erdogan. A pesar de las detenciones arbitrarias, Rutte no ha condenado estas prácticas y se ha limitado a decir que por supuesto, la democracia también significa que las personas puedan organizar manifestaciones si así lo desean. Es decir, es mucho más que unas elecciones libres. Seguidismo a Trump Del resto de la comparecencia ante los medios de comunicación, Rutte ha seguido su política de alabanzas al presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, pese a sus ataques constantes contra países europeos. Incluso, el secretario general de la OTAN no ha sido capaz de criticar el aviso de la Administración estadounidense de que va a castigar o premiar a los países según el seguidismo que haga de las políticas de EEUU. En última instancia, corresponde a cada aliado, incluido Estados Unidos, decidir cómo desarrolla su relación con los otros 31 miembros de la Alianza. Y, por responder a su pregunta de forma más general, creo que Estados Unidos está alentando —y quizá alentando sea un término demasiado suave—, en realidad, está presionando con firmeza a los aliados para que alcancen el objetivo del 5 del PIB en gasto en defensa y para que aumenten la capacidad de producción de la industria de defensa. Creo que eso solo puede ser positivo. En cuanto a las medidas concretas, corresponde a cada aliado decidir cómo desarrollará sus relaciones bilaterales con los demás miembros de la Alianza. Pero, en términos generales, resulta de gran ayuda que el presidente de Estados Unidos esté plenamente implicado en este asunto, ha explicado Rutte.

eldiario.es · about 2 hours ago

Mark Rutte neemt het op voor pers en protest na repressie Turkije NAVO-topman Mark Rutte (59) heeft aan de vooravond van de top in Ankara aandacht gevraagd voor de rechten van journalisten en demonstranten. Hij bleef weg van een veroordeling van gastheer Turkije, die de afgelopen dagen onwelgevallige geluiden hardhandig smoorde, maar onderstreepte dat een democratie ruimte moet bieden voor protest en pers.

rtl nieuws · about 2 hours ago

Jailed Erdoğan rival faces 3 hearings in one day as NATO leaders arrive in Ankara Jailed İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğans main political rival and the oppositions presidential candidate, appeared in three separate court proceedings at a prison complex outside İstanbul on Monday as NATO leaders began arriving in Ankara for a summit hosted by Turkey, Turkish Minute reported. İmamoğlu, who has been held in pretrial detention […] The post Jailed Erdoğan rival faces 3 hearings in one day as NATO leaders arrive in Ankara appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm center for freedom · about 2 hours ago

Turkeys prisons hit 140 percent capacity as inmate population surpasses 427,000 Turkeys prison population has climbed above 427,000, exceeding official capacity by more than 122,000 people and pushing occupancy to roughly 140 percent, according to Justice Ministry data. As of July 1, Turkey held 427,525 pretrial detainees and convicted prisoners in facilities built for 304,956. The population has grown by 14,534 since March 1 — from […] The post Turkeys prisons hit 140 percent capacity as inmate population surpasses 427,000 appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm center for freedom · about 2 hours ago

Turkish frigate represents Türkiye at US 250th anniversary events The Turkish Navy frigate TCG Oruçreis is representing Türkiye at maritime events in New York for the US 250th independence anniversary. The vessel, anchored on the Hudson River, showcases Türkiyes naval capabilities and will remain in New York Harbor until July 8 before sailing to Dublin.

yenisafak · about 2 hours ago

En Turquie, lhumoriste à succès Deniz Göktas arrêté pour insulte au président Dans un spectacle récemment mis en ligne, le stand-upper turc Deniz Göktas critique vertement le président Recep Tayyip Erdogan ainsi que la place prise par la religion en Turquie. Alors que sa vidéo a été visionnée des millions de fois sur les plateformes, il a été arrêté le jeudi 2 juillet et placé en détention provisoire par un tribunal dIstanbul pour incitation à la haine et insulte au président.

courrier international · about 2 hours ago

Ankara, sub măsuri excepționale de securitate înaintea Summitului NATO. Mark Rutte a ajuns deja în capitala Turciei Capitala Turciei s-a transformat într-o adevărată fortăreață cu mai puțin de 24 de ore înainte de debutul Summitului NATO. Autoritățile turce au mobilizat forțe de ordine și au instituit măsuri de securitate fără precedent.

adevarul · about 2 hours ago

Why Did Turkey Arrest Protesters Before the NATO Summit?

gdeltproject.org · about 2 hours ago

Turquia impede cruzeiro LGBTQ+ de atracar em porto A Virgin Voyages, do multimilionário Richard Branson, é a responsável pelo navio Scarlet Lady

observador · about 2 hours ago

Journalists detained in Turkey as NATO summit looms Two journalists were detained in Turkey on Sunday, their media outlets said, in the latest police operations ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara this week that will be attended by leaders including US President Donald Trump, Turkish Minute reported, citing Agence France-Presse. Buse Söğütlü, international news editor at the T24 online newspaper, and Ceren […] The post Journalists detained in Turkey as NATO summit looms appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm center for freedom · about 2 hours ago

More than 100 detained in Turkey during anti-NATO protests ahead of summit Turkish police detained more than 100 people during anti-NATO protests in Ankara on Sunday, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) said, as demonstrations were held in several cities ahead of this weeks NATO summit in the capital, Turkish Minute reported, citing the Bianet news website. The TKP said police intervened in a march in central […] The post More than 100 detained in Turkey during anti-NATO protests ahead of summit appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm center for freedom · about 2 hours ago

RSF chief says Turkeys press crackdown has become a model for others Turkey has become a testing ground for tactics used to suppress independent journalism, with some methods later copied by other governments, the head of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in an interview with the Turkish independent news outlet Bianet. Thibaut Bruttin, secretary-general of the Paris-based press freedom group, said pressure tactics long used in Turkey […] The post RSF chief says Turkeys press crackdown has become a model for others appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.

stockholm center for freedom · about 2 hours ago

Ankara: Proteste gegen NATO-Gipfel in der Türkei Bei Protestmärschen der TKP gegen den NATO-Gipfel ist es am Sonntag in Ankara zu Zusammenstößen mit der Polizei gekommen. Mehr als 100 Demonstranten sollen festgenommen worden sein.

faz · about 2 hours ago

Festnahme in Istanbul: Der mutigste Comedian der Türkei Der türkische Comedian Deniz Göktaş erreichte mit politischer Satire Millionen. Das Regime sperrt ihn weg, weil es spürt: Wenn zehn Millionen lachen, schwindet die Angst. Das ist ein gutes Zeichen.

faz · about 2 hours ago

Blasphemy is not humour | Star - Turkey

eurotopics.net · about 2 hours ago

Debate: Turkey: satirist jailed for jokes The arrest of stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş has caused a stir in Turkey. The Public Prosecutors Office has accused him of denigrating religious values and insulting the president. A video of Göktaşs last performance reached around ten million views last week. Göktaş rejected the allegations in court, defending his work as satire. His lawyer criticised the investigators for taking certain passages out of context.

eurotopics.net · about 2 hours ago

Erdoğan rival shuttled between trials as Nato meets in Turkey Jailed Istanbul mayor İmamoğlu sent to three separate criminal hearings as president readies security summit

financial times · about 2 hours ago