ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — In a clear signal of an escalating clampdown on dissent, prosecutors on Wednesday summoned two prominent figures from Turkey’s business community after they harshly criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration.
Orhan Turan, who heads the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), and Omer Aras, chairman of its advisory council, were brought in for questioning amid allegations that they disseminated misleading information and sought to influence judicial processes, as reported by Sozcu and other media outlets.
This inquiry comes on the heels of their public denunciation last week of the government’s economic policies and its legal actions against opposition figures, including journalists. Earlier on the same day, President Erdogan admonished TUSIAD for overstepping its role, stating,
“You may miss the old Turkey, but you will know your place in the new Turkey. If you are a business association, you must act accordingly—avoid provoking the public, state institutions, or the judiciary.”
Turan and Aras are the latest high-profile individuals to face legal scrutiny. They join others, such as far-right politician Umit Ozdag—detained last month on charges of inciting violence—and a talent manager linked to prominent actors, who was arrested over her alleged involvement in anti-government protests in 2013.
In a related development, five journalists from the opposition-leaning Halk TV now face potential prison sentences after airing a covertly recorded interview with a legal expert accused by the opposition of bias.
Meanwhile, Istanbul’s popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu—widely viewed as a potential challenger to Erdogan in upcoming elections—finds himself embroiled in several court cases following his criticisms of investigations targeting opposition-led municipalities. His political career faces further jeopardy if a high court upholds his 2020 conviction for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s high electoral board, which could result in a political ban.
Additionally, a number of elected mayors, accused of having links with Kurdish militants, have been removed from office and replaced by state-appointed officials.
Government authorities maintain that the judiciary is entirely independent and dismiss any allegations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated.
