1st Week of February 2026: “Right to Hope” talk, arrests in practice

Weekly Turkey Report: First Week of February 2026 – “Right to Hope” talk, arrests in practice

It is alleged that three Romani boys were handed over to Joris Demmink, the Deputy Secretary of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, by then-Interior Minister Mehmet Ağar for the purpose of abuse. It is claimed that the children were raped in Bodrum and that Ağar’s team recorded these moments to blackmail Demmink into working in Turkey’s favor.

MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız noted, “We have reached a consensus on the ‘Right to Hope’,” suggesting a legal regulation could be on the agenda before April.

TÜİK announced January inflation at 4.84%, with an annual rate of 30.65%. According to TEPAV data, food prices rose by 5.17%, marking the highest monthly increase in two years.

According to Bloomberg, Turkey has authorized Ernst & Young for the privatization of the 15th July Martyrs and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges, along with at least nine toll motorways. 

A public lawsuit was filed against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his team on charges of “political espionage.” Additionally, İmamoğlu’s brother-in-law, Ali Kaya, was arrested for “facilitating the use of narcotics.”

Arrest Waves Amidst “Right to Hope” Rhetoric

A deep chasm is observed between the rhetoric of the Turkish government and its partner, the MHP, and the practical applications on the ground.

• MHP’s “Right to Hope” Initiative: MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, in a party group meeting, stated: “Until Anatolia finds peace, Öcalan finds hope, the ‘Ahmets’ return to office, and Demirtaş returns to his home, our resolve is clear.” Following this, the fifth meeting of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission took place. MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız noted, “We have reached a consensus on the ‘Right to Hope’,” suggesting a legal regulation could be on the agenda before April. However, the CHP wing emphasized that while all issues were discussed, a “full consensus” has not yet been reached.
• Ongoing Arrests: Contrary to Bahçeli’s rhetoric, instead of releasing Kurdish prisoners, new ones are being added. This week, in an operation against the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), a constituent of the DEM Party, nearly 50 people were arrested on the grounds of opposing the “new process” initiated with Öcalan.
• Arrest of a Student for “Propaganda”: In Izmir, 16-year-old high school senior A.K. was detained in a morning raid for sharing a hair-braiding video on social media. The youth was sent to Şakran Children’s Prison on charges of “terrorist propaganda.”

Dark Files: The Epstein Connection and State-Aided Abuse Allegations

The global Jeffrey Epstein scandal has reignited a horrific, previously suppressed allegation in Turkey.

• Ağar and Demmink Scandal: It is alleged that three Romani boys were handed over to Joris Demmink, the Deputy Secretary of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, by then-Interior Minister Mehmet Ağar for the purpose of abuse. It is claimed that the children were raped in Bodrum and that Ağar’s team recorded these moments to blackmail Demmink into working in Turkey’s favor. Human rights defender Eren Keskin filed a criminal complaint, reminding that the incident surfaced at the time but was ignored by everyone except the “free press.”
• The Burak Oğraş Case: The mention of Rixos Hotel in Epstein documents has revived the case of 16-year-old Burak Oğraş, who was found dead at the same hotel in 2011. His father, Murat Oğraş, maintains that his son was murdered and his phone destroyed because he witnessed “perverted events” at the hotel and tried to record them.

Economic Data and Strategic Privatizations

Economic indicators confirm the devastation of public purchasing power and the bottleneck in the industry.

• Inflation and Food Crisis: TÜİK announced January inflation at 4.84%, with an annual rate of 30.65%. According to TEPAV data, food prices rose by 5.17%, marking the highest monthly increase in two years. Economist Hakan Kara pointed out the scale of the cost of living through the Big Mac Index, noting that while product prices worldwide rose by 25% in USD since 2022, they skyrocketed by 224% in Turkey.
• Privatization and Investment Losses: According to Bloomberg, Turkey has authorized Ernst & Young for the privatization of the 15th July Martyrs and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges, along with at least nine toll motorways. Meanwhile, allegations that Chinese giant BYD has abandoned its $1 billion factory investment in Manisa remain a major concern.
• Industrial Contraction: The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 48.1 in January, marking the 22nd consecutive month of contraction.

Judicial Pressure and Social Rights Violations

• Political Espionage Cases: A public lawsuit was filed against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his team on charges of “political espionage.” Additionally, İmamoğlu’s brother-in-law, Ali Kaya, was arrested for “facilitating the use of narcotics.”
• Arrests in Local Government: In the Aziz İhsan Aktaş case, Zeydan Karalar was released, while the detention of four CHP mayors continues. In Buca Municipality, 28 people, including licensing and zoning directors, were detained in a bribery investigation.
• Environmental Destruction: The forest land on Yamanlar Mountain in Izmir, which burned in the summer of 2024, was removed from forest status by Presidential decree, opened for development, and tendered for 6.2 billion TRY.

Foreign Policy and Social Crises

• Diplomatic Maneuvers: In the post-Trump era, Erdoğan has softened his “The world is bigger than five” rhetoric, moving to stabilize relations with the US and EU. Joint defense industry projects and a $2 billion solar energy investment are planned with Saudi Arabia.
• 3rd Anniversary of the Earthquake: Three years after the February 6 disaster, 360,000 victims are still living in containers, and unemployment in the region remains significantly higher than the national average.
• Humanitarian Aid Blockade: 25 aid trucks sent to Kobanê were not granted permission to pass and were returned to warehouses in Diyarbakır.
• HRW Report: Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its World Report 2026, reiterated that democracy and freedom of expression in Turkey have regressed to their lowest levels in 40 years.