3rd Week of July: Unending Persecution of the Gülen Movement

Weekly Turkey Report: 3rd Week of July

As Turkey debates the potential for PKK disarmament, the ongoing civil war risk in Syria, the economic crisis, and a disappointing tourism season, the most striking development of the week was the police operation and subsequent arrests targeting a relief campaign meant for the starving members of the Gülen Movement.

The Gülen Movement

Unending Persecution of the Gülen Movement

According to journalist Fehmi Koru, citing data from the Anadolu Agency in his Karar column, following the July 15 coup attempt, 390,354 people were taken into custody, 113,837 were arrested, and 118,814 were placed under judicial control. Among them were 8,081 military officers (including 191 generals), 13,599 other armed forces personnel, 15,032 police officers, 2,305 judges, 938 prosecutors, 24 governors, 174 district governors, 93 deputy governors, and 19 civil inspectors.

This week, a large-scale operation targeting members of the Gülen Movement was launched. The operation was reported by Anadolu Agency, and even media outlets that consider themselves oppositional republished the report word for word—likely under directive from the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications. To reflect the current atmosphere in Turkey and for the record, we cite the report without any alteration:

371 People Detained

“On the 9th anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt, operations were carried out in numerous provinces, centered in Istanbul and İzmir, targeting the financial network of the so-called FETO. Under the investigation led by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for 371 suspects accused of funding the so-called FETO, and operations were launched in 60 provinces. In a separate operation conducted across 9 provinces by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Istanbul Police Department, 26 suspects were detained. Trustees were appointed to the HAKMAR and TATBAK companies for allegedly providing financial support to the so-called FETO. In another operation, based in Istanbul and carried out across 15 provinces, 63 suspects accused of continuing organizational activities within the Ministry of Education structure and attempting to renew allegiance to the group through gatherings and sacrificial donation campaigns were targeted. 51 of them were detained.”

The Kurdish Issue

Tekin Muş, one of the spokespersons for a group of PKK militants who recently laid down arms, responded to questions about the future of the process:
“We currently have no plans for further disarmament. However, the Kurdish movement’s involvement in the process is limited to this step for now. If the government takes constructive steps and lays down a legal foundation, we may reconsider. But if no action is taken, we have no plans to proceed with a second wave of disarmament.”

The DEM Party’s İmralı delegation met with Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç to discuss the peace process and political prisoners. After the meeting, the party stated that “progress in the process depends on strengthening legal foundations.” When asked if the release of imprisoned former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş was on the agenda, Pervin Buldan responded, “Every topic was discussed,” and emphasized that the formation of a parliamentary commission would mark a new phase in the process.

A parliamentary commission is expected to be established within days to advance the Kurdish peace process. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş is scheduled to meet with party group leaders on Friday to finalize the commission’s structure and procedures. A public statement from Kurtulmuş is anticipated following the meeting.

Meanwhile, DEM Party representatives met with CHP Chair Özgür Özel to discuss the disarmament and peace process. Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar highlighted the need for broader public engagement and parliamentary involvement. Buldan stated, “We’ve learned that Mr. Özgür Özel will continue to support the peace process.”

Gültan Kışanak, a prominent Kurdish politician, outlined three urgent steps the state must take in a recent interview:

1. Legal reform to allow participation in political life for those who disarm and are imprisoned for political reasons.

2. Elimination of barriers to Kurdish language rights and political representation.

3. Ending Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation and ensuring a legal path to his freedom.

Following a third ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) indicating a rights violation, the release request for former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, as well as other defendants in the Kobani trial, was denied by Ankara’s 22nd High Criminal Court. The court claimed the ECHR ruling had not yet become final and that the implementation process was ongoing.

İmamoğlu and the CHP

A verdict was reached in the trial of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was charged with “publicly insulting a public official,” “threatening,” and “targeting officials involved in counterterrorism” following his remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Imamoğlu was acquitted of targeting counterterrorism officials but sentenced to 1 year and 5 months in prison for insulting a public official and 2 months and 15 days for threatening—totaling 1 year and 8 months. The verdict was passed by majority vote; one judge voted for full acquittal.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, referring to İmamoğlu’s imprisonment, stated:
“It would be indecent for me to discuss candidacy while Ekrem is in this situation. What matters is getting rid of this mindset. Whether it’s Ekrem, Özgür, or me—it doesn’t matter, as long as someone does it.”

In a separate case, 65 defendants, including former İzmir Mayor Tunç Soyer and CHP İzmir Chair Şenol Aslanoğlu (11 of them currently detained), are accused of serious fraud involving misuse of political parties, NGOs, and public institutions. Prison terms of 3 to 45 years are being sought.

Additionally, the Constitutional Court will review a jurisdiction dispute in a case involving 12 individuals, including İmamoğlu, accused of procedural irregularities during the CHP’s 38th General Congress.

Other Developments

Despite economic hardship and widespread oppression, the AKP retains significant support. According to the July poll by Turkey Report, party support stood as follows:

• CHP: 33.3%

• AKP: 32.9%

• DEM Party: 10.2%

• MHP: 7.2%

• Victory Party: 4.1%

• Good Party: 3.8%

• Key Party: 2.4%

• New Welfare Party: 1.9%

• Others: 4.2%

Turkey’s Youth: Unemployed and Unhappy

According to Eurostat, 57.4% of Turks aged 16 and over cannot afford even a one-week vacation annually—ranking Turkey second in Europe behind Romania. The EU average is 27%.

Additionally, 25.9% of Turks aged 15–29 are neither employed nor in education—the highest rate in Europe. The numbers are higher among young women and those in rural areas, and the risk increases as education levels fall.

Housing Market and Poverty

Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Central Bank show a 35.8% increase in home sales in June compared to last year. Home prices rose 32.8% annually, with a staggering 112% increase in mortgage-backed transactions.

Legal Shield for Illegal Construction

News articles about the demolition orders of high-profile illegal buildings along the Bosphorus have been blocked by court order. The Istanbul 4th Criminal Court ruled on July 11 that the content be removed from publication for “national security” reasons.

Bankruptcy and Growing Poverty

Another major bankruptcy has rocked the textile sector. Atak Kumaş Tekstil, a large producer, has declared bankruptcy. Economist İris Cibre warned of a potential “domino effect” in the markets.

According to the Research Center for Labor and Social Policies (BİSAM), in June 2025:

• The hunger threshold for a family of four rose to 25,811 TL

• The poverty threshold reached 89,282 TL

• The minimum wage remains 3,707 TL below the hunger line

These figures show that the minimum wage no longer even covers food expenses.

Press Freedom Under Threat

Journalists Dicle Baştürk, Yavuz Akengin, Eylem Emel Yılmaz, and Ozan Cırık—who were arrested in June during an Artvin-based operation—were released following objections. They had been detained over their reporting and royalty payments.

Meanwhile, journalist Fatih Altaylı remains in Silivri Prison since June 22 for allegedly “threatening the president” based on remarks made on his YouTube channel. An indictment has been filed seeking a sentence of no less than 5 years.