DIYARBAKIR: Turkish police detained 110 people on Tuesday over alleged militant affiliations, according to security sources, with a pro-Kurdish lawmaker stating politicians, lawyers, and journalists were among those arrested in raids tied to May 14 elections.
According to security sources, the operation was centered on Diyarbakir, the largest city in predominantly Kurdish southeast Turkiye, and spanned 21 provinces, targeting those suspected of having ties to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrilla group.
The operation occurred fewer than three weeks before presidential and parliamentary elections, which constitute President Tayyip Erdogan’s largest political challenge since his AK Party first came to office in 2002.
“On the eve of the election, out of fear of losing power, they have resorted to detention operations again,” Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Tayip Temel tweeted.
Tens of politicians, including top members of his party, journalists, artists, and attorneys, he added, were detained in Diyarbakir early Tuesday.
