- Omer Aras Under Investigation for Comments on Recent Arrests
- Turkey is intensifying its crackdown on opposition figures and journalists. According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, authorities have launched an investigation into Omer Aras, a prominent banking executive and chairman of the influential Turkish business organization TUSIAD.
- This inquiry follows Aras's criticism of various recent events in Turkey, particularly the arrests and investigations targeting opposition politicians and mayors. During a televised TUSIAD event on Thursday, he stated, “We are witnessing extraordinary occurrences in politics. Elected mayors are being ousted and replaced with trustees. A political party leader is subjected to an investigation and subsequently arrested for an unrelated matter.”
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has historically had a strained relationship with TUSIAD, which represents some of the most powerful business conglomerates in Turkey. The decision to investigate a high-ranking member like Aras is likely to be perceived as a significant escalation.
- Recent arrests and investigations involving politicians, journalists, a celebrity agent, and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have drawn criticism from advocacy groups and condemnation from the European Parliament, which urged Turkey to uphold the rule of law.
- In his speech on Thursday, Aras also pointed out the arrests and detentions of journalists, expressing that “the series of events is raising concerns and undermining trust within society.”
- The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office claimed that his remarks aimed to influence a “fair trial” and “disseminate disinformation,” as reported by Anadolu.
- Neither Aras nor TUSIAD has provided comments regarding the ongoing investigation. Founded in 1971, TUSIAD represents approximately 4,500 companies that account for 85% of Turkey’s foreign trade, excluding energy imports.
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