The arrest that plunged Turkey into turmoil – podcast
Protesters took to streets after President Erdoğan had his rival arrested. What will happen next? Sami Kent and Ruth Michaelson reportIt has been more than two decades since Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became Turkey’s president. Over the years, Erdoğan’s regime has become increasingly authoritarian, eroding press freedoms and removing checks to his power. But in the last week mass protests have erupted. Pouring on to the streets of Istanbul, thousands have defied government warnings and a crackdown by riot police to ensure their voices are heard.Today in Focus producer Sami Kent, who has written a book about the history of Turkey, talks to Michael Safi about the background to the protests. Erdoğan has jailed the one remaining political rival to his power – Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. The two men share a similar background and, explains Kent, were both seen as modernisers offering fresh views. Erdoğan was also mayor of Istanbul and was also jailed – coming out of prison a political hero. Now it seems history is repeating itself. Continue reading...
Protesters took to streets after President Erdoğan had his rival arrested. What will happen next? Sami Kent and Ruth Michaelson report
It has been more than two decades since Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became Turkey’s president. Over the years, Erdoğan’s regime has become increasingly authoritarian, eroding press freedoms and removing checks to his power. But in the last week mass protests have erupted. Pouring on to the streets of Istanbul, thousands have defied government warnings and a crackdown by riot police to ensure their voices are heard.
Today in Focus producer Sami Kent, who has written a book about the history of Turkey, talks to Michael Safi about the background to the protests. Erdoğan has jailed the one remaining political rival to his power – Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. The two men share a similar background and, explains Kent, were both seen as modernisers offering fresh views. Erdoğan was also mayor of Istanbul and was also jailed – coming out of prison a political hero. Now it seems history is repeating itself. Continue reading...
