1st Week of August: Turkey: A Tragic Comedy

Weekly Turkey Report – 1st Week of August

Under AKP rule, Turkey has experienced a moral decline while simultaneously carrying out unprecedented repression and violence against different sexual identities in the name of “Islamic morality.” Pro-government TV channels broadcast programs that normalize every kind of sexual relationship—including incest—while homosexuality, especially when combined with political dissent, has been criminalized. Last week offered a striking example of this trend. At the same time, the country was shaken by an extraordinary forgery scandal: a criminal network embedded within the state was found to have provided fake diplomas to many individuals, particularly AKP members. Reports claim that 400 university academics hold such diplomas, along with 40 AKP members of parliament. The scandal also revealed that false IDs were issued, including one for a drug addict and dealer—granting him credentials as a narcotics bureau chief.

The Kurdish Issue

The process initiated by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s call to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan—followed by the organization’s dissolution and disarmament ceremony—continued last week. The parliamentary commission established to oversee the process held its first meeting. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş called it “a matter of survival that concerns the common future of Turks, Kurds, and all citizens,” emphasizing unity, social peace, and strengthening the domestic front, while designating parliament as “the address for a solution.” The commission, later named the “National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission,” continued its work behind closed doors after a 45-minute break.

CHP Deputy Chair Gökçe Gökçen reiterated the party’s refusal to enter constitutional amendment talks from the outset, stressing that ignoring the Kurdish question would make a solution impossible. She argued that the democratization process and the Kurdish issue could not be separated, and proposed that families of fallen soldiers be invited to speak before the commission.

The commission’s second meeting also took place, beginning with a unanimous “full confidentiality” decision. Speaker Kurtulmuş declared that no information could be shared publicly and that meeting minutes would remain sealed for ten years. CHP MP Umut Akdoğan later clarified that only the MIT and ministry briefings from the previous day were classified, and that the process would otherwise continue transparently.

Meanwhile, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) secured the return of two of its officers from PKK custody—one alive and one deceased—leaving no MIT personnel in the organization’s hands.

İmamoğlu and the CHP

CHP leader Özgür Özel alleged the existence of a “lawsuit marketplace” surrounding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) case, claiming to have evidence including dates, times, receipts, and WhatsApp transcripts to submit to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK). Lawyer Mehmet Yıldırım, accused by Özel, was detained in Antalya on the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s orders while allegedly attempting to leave the country. Police reportedly found him with a phone registered to another person. He has been placed under house arrest.

The Interior Ministry announced that Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere—suspended from duty on July 10—had returned to office following the lifting of his house arrest order.

Banning Freedoms

LGBTI+ activist and Turkish youth delegate to the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Enes Hocaoğulları, was arrested at Ankara Esenboğa Airport and subsequently jailed. Prosecutors in Istanbul and Ankara had opened separate investigations against him over a speech delivered in March, accusing him of “inciting hatred and enmity” and “publicly spreading misleading information.” The cases were later merged in Ankara.

In his speech, titled “Young People in Turkey Say Enough,” Hocaoğulları highlighted police violence against youth and the arrests of opposition mayors. Following the speech, both he and the UniKuir Association were targeted by pro-government media outlets.

Fatih Altaylı’s Channel Blocked

Journalist Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube channel was blocked on the request of the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office, with the court citing “national security, public order, and prevention of crime” as justification. The blocked content was a video in which former MP Emin Şirin commented on claims that MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had sent a poem by Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı to Abdullah Öcalan. The segment in question is reportedly under consideration for a new investigation.

Other Developments

Fake Diplomas & Citizenship Fraud
Journalist İsmail Saymaz reported that, in addition to the fake diploma scandal, an organized network facilitated fraudulent citizenship sales between 2019 and 2023 by using forged e-signatures, fake bank receipts, and falsified property valuation reports.

The scandal has implicated Deputy Transport Minister Ömer Fatih Sayan, responsible for the BTK (Information and Communication Technologies Authority), who appears to have completed an implausible number of degrees and certifications over 30 years. Sayan has since removed four of his undergraduate diplomas from his CV. He is the brother of AKP Deputy Chair Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, whose son achieved a perfect score in the controversial LGS exam.

CHP Deputy Chair Namık Tan questioned the academic credentials of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz. Meanwhile, news reports on the alleged fake diploma of MHP MP Levent Uysal were blocked online.

Forgery at the Presidency
An organized fraud ring, exploiting the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes, allegedly set up operations inside the Environment and Urbanization Ministry, ferrying contractors in official vehicles to the Presidential complex to sign fake contracts and collect millions in bribes. Fifteen suspects, including a former judge and the chairman of Erciyesspor, face trial.

Military Leadership Changes
The Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) announced the retirement of Chief of General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak, replacing him with Land Forces Commander Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Gen. Metin Tokel was appointed to head the Land Forces. Thirty-two generals/admirals were promoted, 61 colonels elevated to general/admiral ranks, and the total number of generals in the TSK rose from 316 to 332.

High-Profile Arrest
Lawyer Rezan Epözdemir was arrested on charges of bribery, political and military espionage, and aiding the so-called FETO, as part of two ongoing investigations.

Turkish Passport Ranking Falls
According to the July 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Turkish passport fell to 46th place globally, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 116 countries—placing Turkey alongside Albania, the Dominican Republic, Moldova, and Kiribati.

Economy
Official statistics show Turkey’s July inflation at 2.06% monthly and 33.52% annually. Independent ENAG figures put it at 3.75% monthly and 65.15% annually.