230 Detained in Anti-NATO Protests in Ankara Released After Summit

Ankara authorities have released 230 individuals who were detained during anti-NATO protests held in conjunction with the 36th NATO Summit. The releases occurred after the summit concluded and the leaders departed the city, following a period of strict security measures and a 13-day ban on demonstrations.

Despite the official ban, several left-wing and socialist parties, including the TKP, HKP, TİP, EMEP, EHP, Devrim Partisi, Halkevleri, and Kızılbayrak, organized separate and coordinated demonstrations on July 5 and July 7. These protests were met with a strong police response, resulting in numerous detentions.

Among those detained were lawyers, including Halkevleri General President Av. Linda Sevinç Hocaoğulları. While some individuals were released earlier on health grounds or by judicial order, many detainees were held for up to four days. Their judicial processing only began after the NATO leaders had left Ankara.

Judicial outcomes varied. Thirteen HKP members were released, with only four placed under judicial control. Of the 131 TKP members brought before prosecutors, 118 were freed, 10 faced judicial control measures, and three were initially sought for arrest. However, a judge ultimately imposed a two-week house arrest and a travel ban on these three, with a signature requirement after the house arrest period. Similarly, 78 individuals from TİP, EMEP, EHP, Devrim Partisi, Halkevleri, and other organizations were brought to court, with 77 being released. One individual was transferred due to an existing warrant.

Notably, press access to the courthouse was restricted for two days, with security personnel citing instructions to deny entry to journalists, even those with official press cards.