4th Week of August:  Death Houses

Weekly Turkey Report: 4th Week of August  

Turkey spent another week grappling with debates over peace with the Kurds, threats against Rojava, and increasing pressure on the opposition—especially the CHP. On the path Erdoğan calls a “Terror-Free Turkey,” there was no new development, except that after a month-long hiatus, a DEM delegation was allowed to visit PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Amid speculation of tension between the AKP and MHP, President Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli met in Bitlis’s Ahlat district during ceremonies marking the 954th anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt. The two held talks in a traditional tent set up for the occasion. Their last meeting had been on July 10. After the arrest of Selahattin Yılmaz, whom Bahçeli had described as his “comrade” and “fellow struggler,” rumors of cracks within the People’s Alliance had intensified.

Erdoğan’s Fury at the U.S.

In his speech in Ahlat, Erdoğan lashed out at statements made by U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack. In an interview with the Washington Post, Barrack had argued that even if a full federation was not possible in Syria, a strong decentralized system was necessary, and that the idea of a powerful unitary state was no longer viable. Later, Barrack went further, claiming that the YPG had become independent of the PKK and stating, “They are now one of our key allies.”

Erdoğan responded harshly, targeting both the U.S. and Barrack’s remarks through the prism of Rojava:

“Just as with all brotherly peoples in Syria, the Kurds’ security, peace, and well-being are guaranteed by Turkey. Those who turn their direction toward Ankara and Damascus will prevail. Those who lose their compass and seek new masters will be defeated. Once the sword is unsheathed, there will be no place left for pen or word.”

Öcalan’s Call for a Democratic Society

A DEM Party delegation—composed of Van MP Pervin Buldan, Urfa MP Mithat Sancar, and Asrın Law Office attorney Faik Özgür Erol—met with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island. During the meeting, Öcalan reportedly stressed that “a democratic society, peace, and integration are the three key concepts of this process, and that only on this basis can a solution be achieved.” He underlined the necessity of moving urgently into a new phase where steps would be taken on all fronts.

Deaths and Suicides in Prisons

Since July 15, repression against members of the Gülen Movement, Kurds, and dissidents has steadily worsened, and the toll is growing heavier. According to data from the Ministry of Justice, 68 people committed suicide in prisons in 2024. This information came to light in the ministry’s response to a parliamentary question posed by DEM MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu.

Gergerlioğlu has also highlighted the dire situation of sick and elderly prisoners. He reported that in Manisa, a 70-year-old inmate, Hüseyin Parlak, allegedly died of a brain hemorrhage caused by extreme heat and dehydration. Held in solitary confinement, Parlak had difficulty accessing water before collapsing and dying in hospital.

Journalist Şaban Sevinç claimed that Kalender Özdemir, an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) employee arrested in early March on charges of “financing a terrorist organization,” suffered a heart attack in prison. His family was only informed three days later. He remains in intensive care in critical condition.

Ayşe Barım, a manager arrested 12 years after the Gezi Park protests, described her situation in a letter:

“In a cell, deprived of freedom and the right to a healthy life. I have lost 30 kilos rapidly, my muscles have severely deteriorated, and my ligaments are weakened. Each of my illnesses carries a risk of sudden death, and the severe anxiety disorder and panic attacks triggered by prison conditions increase this risk. In the last three months alone, I fainted six times as my heart condition worsened.”

Meanwhile, lawyer Nusret Yılmaz—defending Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his wife Dilek in an ongoing corruption case—was detained on allegations of “mediating bribery,” but later released under judicial control.

European Mayors Denied Visit to İmamoğlu

A delegation of European mayors who traveled to Turkey in solidarity with imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were denied permission by the Ministry of Justice to visit him in Marmara Prison, Silivri. The “Special Democracy Award” granted to İmamoğlu was instead presented to his wife, Dilek İmamoğlu. In a message from prison, İmamoğlu stated:

“This award belongs to all citizens in Turkey and across the world who resist for justice and freedom, refusing to bow to authoritarian oppression.”

Economy Worsens

CHP Deputy Chair Deniz Yavuzyılmaz published a document showing that Erdoğan received a total of eight monthly salaries simultaneously during his tenure as Istanbul mayor.

Meanwhile, wage negotiations affecting millions of public servants and retirees collapsed. The Arbitration Board maintained its proposal of 11% + 7% raises for 2026, and slightly increased its 2027 offer to 5% + 4%. Both Memur-Sen and Kamu-Sen unions withdrew from the board, leaving civil servants unrepresented at the table.

Defense industry conglomerate ASSAN Group became the target of a major investigation. Company owner Emin Öner and general manager Gürcan Okumuş were detained on charges of “membership in the so-called FETO” and “military espionage.” Trustees have been appointed to the company.

Even as poverty deepens, Turkey has become the world leader in official cars:

• Turkey: 130,000
• Japan: 10,000
• Germany: 9,000
• France: 8,000

Finally, according to the 2025 National University Entrance Examination (YKS) placement results, 99% of state university quotas and all associate degree slots were filled. Private universities, however, saw their occupancy drop from 95.3% last year to 74.8% this year.