Members of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) are being prosecuted with prison sentences of between six months and three years, following the anti-NATO demonstration in Ankara during the NATO summit in July.
TKP Responds to Prosecution of 140 Members
The Communist Party of Turkey has condemned the prosecution's attempt to criminalise opposition to NATO.
To say that we will not allow NATO to pass, and to struggle for the independence of our country, is not a crime; it is the duty of this country’s patriots and revolutionaries.
Our country will be rid of NATO, and NATO will be rid of our country!
The indictment accuses the party members of violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations and resisting police. Those facing prosecution include members of the TKP’s Ankara leadership, Central Committee and Party Assembly.
Summit held under sweeping security measures
Before the summit, authorities imposed restrictions on demonstrations and public events in several cities. In Ankara, security measures included road and pedestrian restrictions, the evacuation of student dormitories, facial-recognition cameras and the deployment of approximately 50,000 police officers, according to soL Haber.
TKP had planned a week of activities against the summit, arguing that NATO leaders were gathering to discuss new war plans amid escalating international conflicts.
The case concerns the demonstration held in Kızılay Square on July 5. Breaking the ban on demonstrations and extensive security measures, hundreds of people gathered under the slogan “No passage for NATO.” According to soL Haber, 140 party members were detained following the protest, with several injured during police intervention. Three were also placed under house arrest.