Politics · Turkey · 1 day ago
Turkey charges 45 over protest at Ankara NATO summit
Turkish prosecutors have charged 45 people over a protest in Ankara on July 7, the opening day of NATO’s summit there.
The defendants include officials from three leftist parties and the head of the People’s Houses civic organization.
Police stopped the group from making a press statement at Kurtuluş Park and detained participants.
Prosecutors say the defendants joined an unlawful gathering and did not disperse after warnings; the indictment also alleges some pushed or pulled police shields.
A citywide ban on gatherings and demonstrations was in force from June 28 to July 10, which authorities said was needed to protect security and summit sites.
The case comes amid wider restrictions and detentions linked to the summit; a lawyers’ group reported at least 668 detentions across Turkey, though its total could include overlapping cases.
Some defendants deny the accusations, while others have remained silent, and one party official said he was proud of the protest.
A court appearance is scheduled for November 11.
Turkish prosecutors have charged 45 people over a protest at NATO’s July summit in Ankara.
The protest took place on July 7, when police stopped participants from making a press statement at Kurtuluş Park and detained them.
The indictment accuses the defendants of taking part in unlawful meetings and marches and not dispersing after warnings.
The defendants include civic organization leader Linda Sevinç Hocaoğulları and Ankara officials from three leftist parties.
The charges follow wider detentions and restrictions around the summit, which brought NATO leaders to Ankara on July 7 and 8.
- Who
- Turkish prosecutors charged 45 people, including leftist party officials and a civic organization leader.
- What
- They are accused of participating in unlawful meetings and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings.
- When
- The protest took place on July 7, the summit’s opening day. The charges were reported on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Kurtuluş Park in Ankara, Turkey.
- Why
- Prosecutors say the defendants did not disperse after warnings; the indictment also cites a ban on public gatherings imposed for security reasons.
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Defendants
Alleged conduct
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
The indictment alleges the protesters resisted police orders, including by pushing and pulling officers’ shields.
Defendants
Some defendants denied the accusations; others remained silent.
Protest restrictions
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Authorities cited national security and protection of the summit venue, delegation hotels and transport routes to justify the restrictions.
Defendants
The defendants’ broader position on the restrictions is not stated; TİP official Fırat Çoban dismissed the prosecution and said, “We are proud.
We are proud
an excessive and unjustifiable attack
The Ankara Governor’s Office imposed a province-wide ban on public gatherings, demonstrations and press statements.
Police prevented protesters from making a press statement at Kurtuluş Park and detained participants.
NATO’s 36th summit brought leaders of the military alliance to Ankara.
Turkish prosecutors’ charges against 45 people were reported.
Fırat Çoban referred to a court appearance scheduled for that date.
- People charged
- 45
- Protest location
- Kurtuluş Park, Ankara
- Protest date
- July 7
- Summit dates
- July 7-8
- Ban period
- June 28-July 10
- Named civic organization leader
- Linda Sevinç Hocaoğulları
Sources
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