Türkiye detains 209 in anti-terror raids ahead of NATO summit

Türkiye detains 209 in anti-terror raids ahead of NATO summit
Turkish authorities detained 209 people in anti-terrorism operations on 23 June, 2026.
Reuters

Turkish authorities detained 209 people in anti-terrorism operations on Tuesday, prosecutors said, a day after Ankara imposed restrictions on public gatherings ahead of next month's NATO summit.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said arrest warrants had been issued for 241 suspects as part of investigations into several militant organisations.

It said 209 suspects had been detained and efforts to locate the remaining suspects were continuing.

The prosecutor's office and the Justice Ministry were not immediately available for comment.

The operations came a day after the Ankara Governor's Office announced a 13-day ban on demonstrations, press conferences and other public gatherings from 28 June to 10 July, citing security concerns linked to the NATO summit on 7 and 8 July.

Prosecutors said in a statement that the operation was part of efforts to uncover militant group activities. The statement did not mention the NATO summit.

Detention details and legal concerns

Authorities have not disclosed the allegations against individual suspects.

Rights groups said detainees were subject to a 24-hour restriction on access to lawyers.

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