Turkish police detain 12 academics, activists in raids

16/11/2018 18:18

        Police in Istanbul detained 12 academics, businesspeople and journalists as part of an investigation into an association that was headed by a jailed prominent businessman and activist,.
        
        Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said professors Betul Tanbay and Turgut Tarhanli of Istanbul's Bosphorus and Bilgi universities and journalist Cigdem Mater were among those detained in simultaneous police operations in the city.
        
        They are being questioned over their links to the Anatolia Culture Association founded by Osman Kavala, a philanthropist businessman who was arrested a year ago pending trial, accused of alleged attempts to "abolish" the constitutional order and the government. No indictment has been issued against him.
        
        Anadolu said police were searching for eight other people linked to the association which says it aims to promote peace and minority rights through culture.