ANKARA, Turkey — On Wednesday, two prominent Turkish business figures were interrogated by prosecutors after they publicly criticized the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This interrogation is part of a broader crackdown on dissent as the government seeks to silence opposition voices.
Orhan Turan, who leads the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), along with Omer Aras, chairman of the group’s advisory council, faced investigators due to allegations of disseminating false information and attempting to sway judicial outcomes. These developments followed their recent denouncement of the government’s economic strategies and legal actions against opposition members, including journalists.
Hours before their questioning, Erdogan expressed displeasure with TUSIAD, asserting that the organization had overstepped its role. “You may long for the older Turkey, but you will understand your position in the new Turkey,” he stated. Erdogan emphasized that as a business association, TUSIAD should focus on its core functions without challenging the public or the institutions of the state nor undermining the judiciary.
Turan and Aras join a growing list of notable figures facing legal scrutiny. This includes Umit Ozdag, a right-wing politician apprehended last month for allegedly inciting violence, and a talent manager linked to the 2013 anti-government protests who also found herself in legal troubles. Additionally, five journalists from the opposition-linked channel Halk TV are facing potential prison sentences due to a broadcast involving a secretly recorded interview that was claimed to be biased against the government.
In another significant case, Ekrem Imamoglu, the well-regarded mayor of Istanbul and a likely challenger to Erdogan in upcoming elections, is contending with several legal disputes following his critique of inquiries targeting municipalities run by opposition leaders. He faces the possibility of a political ban if a higher court sustains his 2020 conviction related to remarks deemed disrespectful towards Turkey’s electoral board.
In recent months, various elected mayors accused of having connections to Kurdish militants have been ousted from their positions and replaced by government-appointed officials. Despite these actions, government representatives maintain that the judiciary operates impartially and deny allegations that the legal measures against opposition members are influenced by political motivations.
