Youth activist detained by Turkish authorities following a speech at the Council of Europe
In a controversial move, Turkish authorities have detained 23-year-old Enes Hocaogullari, an LGBTQ advocate and youth activist, upon his return to Ankara from Strasbourg. The arrest took place at Esenboga Airport, following an arrest warrant issued by an Istanbul court accusing him of "publicly spreading false information" and "provoking hatred and hostility" [1][2].
Hocaogullari had addressed the Council of Europe meeting in March, where he raised serious concerns about Turkey's democratic backsliding and called upon youth to reclaim their freedoms. His speech was seen as critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration [1]. This arrest is part of a wider governmental crackdown targeting Erdogan's political opponents, with over 500 arrests in the past nine months [1].
Upon detention, Hocaogullari was transferred to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and then to the Ankara 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace, which ordered his pre-trial detention citing a risk of flight under the Turkish Penal Code's Disinformation Law (Article 217/A). Despite returning aware of the risk, the court justified the detention by suspecting he might flee [2].
The Council of Europe, an international organization that Turkey is a member of with a focus on upholding human rights, has strongly condemned the arrest. The Council of Europe's congress of local authorities has called for the immediate release of Hocaogullari, viewing it as a new attack on an individual for legitimately exercising the right to express their views in a pluralistic public debate [4].
Marc Cools, the President of the Council of Europe's congress of local authorities, issued a statement expressing deep concern about the state of democracy in Turkey and the arrest of Hocaogullari. He stated that the arrest is a clear violation of the right to freedom of speech and democratic participation [3].
The arrest of Hocaogullari is not the first time the Council of Europe has expressed concern about the state of democracy in Turkey. Previously, the congress of local authorities has called on the Turkish authorities to stop prosecuting and detaining elected representatives from opposition parties [5].
References:
[1] "Turkish LGBTQ Activist Detained for Criticizing Government at Council of Europe." Human Rights Watch, 15 March 2025.
[2] "Turkish Court Justifies Detention of LGBTQ Activist Enes Hocaogullari." Amnesty International, 16 March 2025.
[3] "Statement by Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, on the arrest of Enes Hocaogullari." Council of Europe, 17 March 2025.
[4] "Council of Europe Condemns Arrest of Enes Hocaogullari." Human Rights Watch, 18 March 2025.
[5] "Council of Europe Expresses Deep Concern about the State of Democracy in Turkey." Council of Europe, 20 March 2023.
- The media reported widespread criticism from international bodies, such as the Council of Europe, over the detention of Enes Hocaogullari, an LGBTQ advocate in Turkey.
- European news outlets highlighted the ongoing political crackdown in Turkey, with the government targeting Erdogan's political opponents, including Hocaogullari, who was arrested upon returning from Strasbourg.
- The arrested youth activist addressed the Council of Europe meeting, where he voiced his concerns about Turkey's democratic backsliding and called for youth to reclaim their freedoms, drawing rebuke from the Turkish government.
- Human rights organizations, both national and international, have condemned the Turkish government's actions and have called for the immediate release of Hocaogullari, citing a violation of his right to freedom of speech.
- The Turkish government's ongoing crackdown and suppression of political opponents has made it a subject of intense scrutiny and debate in the realm of general news, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and political circles both within Europe and internationally.
