Politics Several arrests for calling for a boycott in Turkey
Eleven people have been arrested in raids in Turkey following calls for a boycott of numerous brands and companies suspected of being close to the government.
03.04.2025, 11:55
SDA
The Anadolu news agency reported that arrest warrants had been issued for a total of 16 suspects. Five people are still being sought. According to several media reports, a Turkish actor is also among those arrested.
The investigation was initiated for spreading "hatred and discrimination" and "incitement to hatred and hostility in public", including on social media.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc had previously criticized the calls. A call for a boycott "directed against certain brands is an organized smear campaign against the economic order", Tunc wrote on X on Wednesday.
Connection with Imamoglu's imprisonment
The calls for a boycott are linked to the imprisonment of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who has since been deposed. Opposition activists called on people to avoid various brands, companies and media outlets suspected of being close to the government as a sign of protest. A general consumer boycott was also called for on Wednesday.
The action against Imamoglu has plunged Turkey into its worst crisis for years. As a result, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in anti-government protests. The demonstrators accuse the government of wanting to use the judiciary to politically silence President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's biggest rival.
The main opposition party CHP, to which Imamoglu belongs, has also called for weekly demonstrations starting next week. Imamoglu rejects the accusations of corruption and terrorism.
