We are writing to urgently inform you about a major wave of repression against socialists, journalists, trade unionists, lawyers, and environmental activists in Turkey, and to call for your solidarity.
Over the past days, 96 people have been arrested across Turkey under the pretext of so-called “anti-terror operations.” The Erdoğan government is once again using anti-terror legislation to smash resistance structures and silence all forms of opposition. Anti-terror units stormed homes and offices, ransacked them, destroyed property, and confiscated all electronic devices. Even political literature, including The Communist Manifesto, has reportedly been taken as “evidence.”
Among the targeted premises were the offices of the Etha news agency and the Beksav cultural association. This wave of repression is clearly directed at left-wing and socialist organizations. Arrested comrades include members and leading representatives of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), the Socialist Women’s Councils (SKM), and the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), among them ESP co-chair Murat Çepni, SKM general spokesperson Tanya Kara, and SGDF co-chair Berfin Polat.
In addition, the fascist Turkish government arrested the chairperson and general secretary of the port workers’ union LİMTER İş, which is part of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DISK). Members of the environmental organization Polen Ekoloji were also taken into custody.
According to Turkey’s state news agency, the arrests allegedly target the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP). In 22 provinces, public prosecutors ordered arrests of people accused of participating in events marking the MLKP’s 30th anniversary. Reports indicate that those affected had already been under close surveillance since February 24, 2025.
This is not the first wave of repression against these organizations, but its scale marks a new escalation. Authorities are now speaking of 110 suspects, meaning further arrests are likely.
In recent weeks, many of the targeted organizations were actively involved in resistance and solidarity actions for Rojava, including protests in Suruç (Pirsûs). This town is marked by the memory of the 2015 ISIS attack — carried out with the complicity of Turkish authorities — in which 33 SGDF youth were murdered while preparing to help rebuild Kobanê.
Just days before this arrest wave, an Istanbul court sentenced ten Kurdish lawyers and 18 others to prison terms of up to 11 years and 3 months for defending the rights and medical care of predominantly Kurdish prisoners. At the same time, socialists have played a key role in organizing large-scale anti-NATO protests planned for July 7–8 in Ankara, which further explains the political motivation behind this repression.
Despite all attacks, the socialist youth declare:
“We will not take a single step back. We will continue to strengthen the youth’s struggle for equality and freedom. Despite all attacks, we reaffirm: SGDF is hope — and hope stands firm.”
Our Call for Solidarity
Dear comrades, we ask for any form of solidarity:
Public statements and messages of support
Protest actions, rallies, or banners
Letters to Turkish embassies and consulates
Initiatives within unions, parties, youth and women’s organizations
Spreading this information widely
International solidarity is crucial. Every message, every action, and every expression of support strengthens the antifascist struggle in Turkey and helps protect those targeted by repression.
Freedom for all political prisoners!
Down with fascist repression!
Solidarity with the antifascist struggle in Turkey!
In solidarity,
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