⚖️ Justice System and Everyday Life in Türkiye
Istanbul downpour: second death confirmed, 1,277 flooding incidents logged
A 34-year-old man identified as S.Y. died in Ayazağa, Sarıyer, after slipping into a puddle on Dereboyu Caddesi and hitting his head; he died in hospital. He is the second person to die in the Istanbul rainfall, after a 14-year-old boy electrocuted in a puddle in Balat, Fatih. The Istanbul Governorship reported 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides and 47 people stranded, with 8,000 personnel deployed.
Journalist Oya Lale Arslan ordered released after 40 days
A release order was issued for journalist Oya Lale Arslan, who had been held for 40 days. Her lawyer, Çağlar Çağlayan, announced the decision on social media: “Oya Lale Arslan artık özgür” (”is now free”).
Two detained doctors released in “newborn gang” trial
The Bakırköy 22nd High Criminal Court, trying 62 defendants (10 detained) over allegations that newborn emergency patients were referred to private hospitals’ neonatal units under prior arrangements, released doctors Rıza Keykubad and Zeki Ötünç. The other detained defendants remain in custody. The hearing was adjourned to 26 January.
Investigation permission granted against former SPK chair
Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek granted permission to investigate former Capital Markets Board (SPK) chair İbrahim Ömer Gönül for “görevi kötüye kullanma” (abuse of duty), following a request from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and a preliminary review by the ministry’s Inspection Board. The case is part of four investigations into alleged manipulation of Borsa Istanbul stocks through portfolio companies and investment funds.
🏛️ Politics
Committee approves bill on liquidated investment funds
The Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Plan and Budget Committee approved a nine-article bill creating a special liquidation, refund and recovery process for funds that the SPK ordered liquidated on 17 September 2026. Investors may receive interim payments of up to 1 million TL. The bill is expected before the General Assembly next week.
Constitutional Court (AYM) decisions on 26 parties’ accounts published
Thirty AYM decisions covering the final accounts of 26 political parties, mostly for 2024, appeared in the Official Gazette. The court cited missing documents, inconsistencies and off-book income and expenditure, ordered a criminal complaint to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and referred some officials who missed deadlines to the Ankara Governorship.
Türkiye and UK interior ministries hold security and migration talks
The two interior ministries held the 7th Strategic Security Partnership meeting and the 4th Migration Dialogue meeting in Ankara on 13–14 October. They stressed cooperation against terrorism, terrorist financing, organised crime, smuggling, cybercrime and money laundering, and reaffirmed a security and defence partnership signed in July 2026.
🤝 Ruling Government (AKP, MHP, CHP and DEM coalition aka People’s Alliance)
Kurtulmuş: monitoring board for “Terror-Free Türkiye” process to be proposed
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, speaking in Rome at the Conference of European Parliament Presidents, said a motion to create a monitoring board with all parliamentary groups will be submitted in the coming days. He said the first steps are the organisation’s self-dissolution and disarmament, with cave evacuations and weapons handovers under way.
Bahçeli on Azerbaijan: sovereignty of each Turkic state must be respected
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, in the context of Türkiye’s presidency of the Organisation of Turkic States, said: “Her bir Türk Cumhuriyeti kendi içinde müstakil ve egemen bir devlettir.” He said no discord should damage fraternal bonds, especially with Azerbaijan, and called for cooperation based on mutual respect.
İzmir mayor Tugay, now in AKP, warns district mayors
İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, elected with CHP votes and recently switched to the AKP, told Yeni Asır that anyone trying to stop the city council from serving would get a response “in every setting”. He described himself as conciliatory rather than combative.
🗳️ Opposition Parties (New Party and İYİ Party)
Halk TV placed under trustee; broadcast halted
Police raided Halk TV’s Istanbul building and a trustee (kayyım) took over management; live broadcast was halted and reporters moved to a joint YouTube stream. Özgür Özel, leader of YENİ Parti, said at the building: “Mesele Halk TV’yi susturmak” (”The issue is silencing Halk TV”). Later, the Istanbul Criminal Judgeship of Peace blocked access to Halk TV’s social media accounts on a request from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, in an investigation into owner Cafer Mahiroğlu over bribery, bid rigging and money laundering; the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) is the trustee.
AKP and MHP votes reject YENİ Parti motion on Halk TV trustee
The TBMM General Assembly rejected a YENİ Parti research motion on the Halk TV trustee with AKP and MHP votes. Speakers from Yeni Yol, İYİ Parti, CHP and DEM Parti criticised the appointment; AKP MP Oğuzhan Kaya cited the prosecutor’s investigation into Mahiroğlu. YENİ Parti’s Murat Emir replied that MPs are not judges or prosecutors.
İmamoğlu begins defence in İBB trial
On day 98 of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) trial (436 defendants, 53 detained), Ekrem İmamoğlu delivered the first part of his defence, about 19 months after his arrest. He said the fund allegations in the indictment are unfounded and accused the government of using the judiciary against political rivals. The court scheduled his defence and his lawyers’ statements over four days.