Ekrem İmamoğlu
Turkish politician and 7th mayor of Istanbul
Photo: Medyascope TV, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
- 3d ago
Turkish police raid Halk TV headquarters, halt broadcast and detain 11 people
Police took control of the Istanbul headquarters of Halk TV, one of the few Turkish broadcasters not aligned with the government, early on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Prosecutors say the probe centers on the channel's chairman, who lives abroad and denies the allegations.
- Oct 7
Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay defects to Erdogan's AKP, ending 27 years of opposition rule
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pinned the ruling party badge on Cemil Tugay in Ankara on Wednesday, expanding government control to Turkey's third-largest city.
- Oct 1
Turkish police arrest Mersin mayor Vahap Seçer and 58 others in municipal corruption probe
Police in southern Turkey have detained Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer alongside 58 other individuals, including two district mayors, over alleged irregularities in public tenders.
- Sep 28
Turkish court sentences comedian Deniz Goktas to 19 months over Erdogan jokes and orders release
An Istanbul court handed 32-year-old comedian Deniz Goktas a 19-month prison sentence for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and religious values, ordering his release after 88 days in detention.
- Sep 12
Turkish court sentences ousted Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu to 25 months in prison
A Turkish court sentenced ousted Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu to 25 months in prison for insulting a public official, imposing a political ban that could formally strip him of his mayoral office.
- Jul 21
Deposed Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel announces new party, could become largest opposition force
The deposed leader of Turkey's main opposition CHP, Özgür Özel, announced the creation of a new social democratic party on Tuesday, with around 80 of 135 CHP lawmakers expected to defect, instantly making it the largest opposition force in parliament.
- Jul 14
Turkey marks decade since failed 2016 coup as Erdogan demands extraditions and launches fresh wave of arrests
A new 'major cleansing campaign' saw 968 people detained across all 81 Turkish provinces this week, while President Erdogan called on NATO allies to extradite alleged plotters.
- Jul 2
Turkish comedian jailed pending trial after calling Erdogan 'dictator' in viral stand-up show
Deniz Goktas was arrested at Istanbul airport and ordered jailed by a Turkish court on charges of insulting President Erdogan and religious values, after his YouTube video drew millions of views and hundreds of complaints.
- Jun 17
Turkey accuses European Parliament of giving platform to terrorist groups after report condemns democratic backsliding and violations against Greece
Ankara issued a furious response after the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticising Turkey’s erosion of democracy, its Blue Homeland doctrine, and abuses against Greece and Cyprus, and warned of possible sanctions on Turkish officials.
- May 26
Turkish Police Fire Tear Gas and Water Cannons at Protesters After Court Ousts Opposition Leader Özgür Özel
Riot police in Turkey used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of protesters in Izmir on Tuesday, days after a court ruling removed the elected leader of the main opposition party and reinstated his predecessor.
