Ayşenaz Toptaş

Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party issued a brief statement upon their second meeting with Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island. The delegation shared updates, saying preparations were "ongoing" and public statements would follow.

Turkish police have detained Istanbul Bar board member Fırat Epözdemir at Istanbul Airport over alleged "terrorist group membership," citing his involvement in a 2015 WhatsApp group. The move followed a lawsuit seeking the dismissal of the bar leadership.

Turkish authorities detained celebrity agent, Ayşe Barım, on charges of "attempting to overthrow the government" over alleged involvement in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. The move unexpectedly followed a recent controversy around Barım that accused her of monopolizing the industry.

A Turkish prosecutor's office pressed new charges against Mısra Öz Sel, the mother of the Çorlu train accident's youngest victim, for "insulting public officials." The indictment cited her courtroom remarks and criticism. Öz previously received a fine for similar accusations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for a joint effort to combat IS and the PKK after talks in Baghdad. He pressed Iraq to label the PKK a terrorist group and discussed intelligence cooperation. Iraq warned against Turkish attacks on Syrian Kurds, citing refugee risks.

A Turkish court has ordered the arrests of Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, Fire Chief Kenan Coşkun, and firefighter İrfan Acar, in connection to the ski resort fire that claimed 78 lives, raising the total arrests to 19.

Turkey's human rights advocate Şebnem Korur Fincancı has faced trial for allegedly "insulting the Turkish state" via her comments on torture during an interview. The trial was adjourned to Feb. 20 for final arguments.

Parents of Berkin Elvan have appeared in court over remarks criticizing President Erdoğan after their son’s 2013 death during the Gezi protests. The prosecutor sought charges for “insulting the president” based on their speeches alleging Erdoğan's responsibility.

Turkish police detained three Halk TV figures, including journalist Barış Pehlivan, over allegations of "unlawfully influencing an expert witness." The detentions followed the broadcast of a phone call with the witness linked to cases targeting CHP mayors.

Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party has condemned the most recent arrest of their Siirt mayor Sofya Alağaş, as a "political seizure." Protesters gathered at the municipal building as the trustee took over the office. denounced the appointment, calling it a violation of democracy.