The DEM Party has condemned the detention of more than 200 people in early-morning raids in Ankara ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit, describing the operations as a violation of fundamental democratic rights and calling for the immediate release of all detainees.

Mass Raids and Detentions in Ankara

In a statement issued by its Central Executive Board, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) strongly condemned the detention of more than 200 politicians, civil society representatives, and citizens during early-morning raids in Ankara, calling for their immediate release and warning that the operations undermine fundamental democratic rights ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit.

The party described the raids as an arbitrary wave of detentions and arrests targeting members of leftist and socialist organizations, including supporters of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and the Revolutionary Party, ahead of the July 7-8 NATO Summit. More than 200 individuals, including journalists and activists, were reportedly detained, with many denied immediate access to legal counsel.

The raid came amid heightened security measures in Ankara, including a 13-day blanket ban on public demonstrations and a wider security lockdown involving tens of thousands of personnel for the summit.

Concerns Over Democratic Rights and Freedoms

The DEM Party stated that in democratic societies, “freedom of expression, the right to organize, and the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration are fundamental rights protected by constitutional guarantees.”

It warned that restricting these rights under broad security justifications would further damage social peace and weaken already fragile democratic politics, adding that turning Ankara into what it described as “a massive prison” in the name of summit security was unacceptable.

Call for Immediate Release

Reaffirming its position, the party said it opposes all practices that restrict democratic political space and criminalize opposition activity.

“Protesting NATO and criticizing its practices are not crimes,” the statement said, calling for the immediate release of all detainees, including left-wing politician and activist Elif Torun Oneren, who serves as the General Chairperson of the United Revolutionary Party.