Turkish police detain 11 over opposition-led economic boycott
Published: 07:04 PM,Apr 03,2025 | EDITED : 11:04 PM,Apr 03,2025
Protesters set up a tent in a park as they bring their own food and drinks at a "Boycott Cafe", in Ankara. — AFP
ANKARA: Turkish police have detained 11 people as part of an investigation into social media calls for an economic boycott backed by the opposition following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, state media reported on Thursday. Prosecutors launched the probe, saying they were investigating individuals promoting economic boycotts on social and traditional media. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office said the calls sought to prevent a segment of the public from engaging in economic activity, citing potential violations of 'laws against hate speech and inciting public hostility'.
Citing the prosecutor's office, state news agency Anadolu said on Thursday police carried out simultaneous raids across multiple locations, detaining 11 suspects, while efforts to apprehend the remaining five continued.
The detentions follow a call by main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel to boycott businesses with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan's government. That call expanded on Wednesday to a one-day halt in shopping. The government has condemned the boycott as an attempt to destabilise the economy. Türkiye's economy, hit by years of high inflation and currency turmoil, has seen slowing growth, with March inflation at 38.1%. Some business owners reported a sharp drop in customers following the boycott call, while others defended it as a necessary form of protest.
Türkiye's government denounced opposition calls for a mass commercial boycott following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu that sparked nationwide protests, describing them on Wednesday as an economic 'sabotage attempt'. After the mayor was detained two weeks ago, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had called for a boycott of goods and services from companies with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan's government.
That call widened on Wednesday to include a halt to all shopping for one day, prompting some shops to close in solidarity with those criticising the arrest as an anti-democratic attempt to hurt the opposition's electoral prospects. Imamoglu is Erdogan's main political rival and the CHP's presidential candidate for any future election.
Trade Minister Omer Bolat said boycott calls posed a threat to economic stability and accused those advocating them of seeking to undermine the government. They 'are an attempt to sabotage the economy and include unfair trade and competition elements. We see this as a futile attempt by circles who consider themselves the masters of this country,' Bolat said. On Wednesday, Bolat gave an interview to state broadcaster TRT, focusing solely on the boycott. 'I have a call for our citizens. If you have any shopping plans for today, tomorrow, the day after, or in the coming days, we strongly encourage you to make your purchases and conduct your business today,' he said, before appearing on other TV channels to repeat the same messages. — Reuters
Citing the prosecutor's office, state news agency Anadolu said on Thursday police carried out simultaneous raids across multiple locations, detaining 11 suspects, while efforts to apprehend the remaining five continued.
The detentions follow a call by main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel to boycott businesses with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan's government. That call expanded on Wednesday to a one-day halt in shopping. The government has condemned the boycott as an attempt to destabilise the economy. Türkiye's economy, hit by years of high inflation and currency turmoil, has seen slowing growth, with March inflation at 38.1%. Some business owners reported a sharp drop in customers following the boycott call, while others defended it as a necessary form of protest.
Türkiye's government denounced opposition calls for a mass commercial boycott following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu that sparked nationwide protests, describing them on Wednesday as an economic 'sabotage attempt'. After the mayor was detained two weeks ago, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had called for a boycott of goods and services from companies with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan's government.
That call widened on Wednesday to include a halt to all shopping for one day, prompting some shops to close in solidarity with those criticising the arrest as an anti-democratic attempt to hurt the opposition's electoral prospects. Imamoglu is Erdogan's main political rival and the CHP's presidential candidate for any future election.
Trade Minister Omer Bolat said boycott calls posed a threat to economic stability and accused those advocating them of seeking to undermine the government. They 'are an attempt to sabotage the economy and include unfair trade and competition elements. We see this as a futile attempt by circles who consider themselves the masters of this country,' Bolat said. On Wednesday, Bolat gave an interview to state broadcaster TRT, focusing solely on the boycott. 'I have a call for our citizens. If you have any shopping plans for today, tomorrow, the day after, or in the coming days, we strongly encourage you to make your purchases and conduct your business today,' he said, before appearing on other TV channels to repeat the same messages. — Reuters