Turkish authorities are escalating a yearslong crackdown against perceived critics in the run-up to this week¡¯s NATO summit in Ankara, in a show of intolerance toward dissent.
Police detained Turkish journalists Buse Sogutlu and Ceren Erdogdu over the weekend, along with dozens of academics and lawyers. Istanbul¡¯s chief prosecutor¡¯s office said the detentions were part of an operation against a banned leftist group.
Comedian Deniz Goktas, whose recent stand-up special drew 11 million views on YouTube, was arrested last week on allegations including insulting the president. He denies the allegations and has been sent to a high-security prison.
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