Another major operation by Turkish police ahead of elections

On 23 May, a few days before the presidential elections, large-scale police operations were again carried out. Dozens of people have been detained in house raids against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and its allies in several provinces, particularly in Tekirdag and Mersin. Among those detained on various charges, such as social media posts and sending money to prisoners, are HDP provincial executives, former executives, former co-chairpersons of the Democratic Regions Party (BDP) and journalists of the Mezopotamya agency (MA).

A total of nearly 40 people were detained in the Tekirdag-based operation. While it is stated that there is a confidentiality order in the file, it is also said that the detention period may extend. HDP Party Assembly Member Ahmet Saymadi, who said “AKP is conducting operations against the HDP as it is losing”, announced on his social media account that there are 3 separate operations against the HDP across Turkey. In other operations in Mersin and neighboring provinces, a total of 24 people were detained. According to the MA, among those detained are Mezopotamya Agency reporter Delal Akyüz and Azat Taş, who is 85 percent disabled. During the police raids, doors were smashed in and belongings looted.

In response to the raids and detentions, the Green Left Party (YSP) and HDP Mersin Provincial Organizations said in a joint press statement that they will continue their struggle in the strongest way possible to put an end to the one-man regime. The joint press statement was read by HDP Mersin Provincial Co-Chair Bedriye Kus. Kus said that the government has made a habit of attacking the Kurds during every election process, adding that the AKP government’s 22-year record is full of political operations.