Turkish authorities detained 11 individuals on Thursday as part of an investigation into social media-driven calls for an economic boycott led by opposition figures. The boycott was initiated following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, according to state media reports.
The investigation, launched by prosecutors on Tuesday, focuses on individuals accused of promoting economic boycotts through social and traditional media channels.
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s office stated that the boycott calls aimed to deter a segment of the population from engaging in economic activities, potentially violating laws against hate speech and incitement of public hostility.
State news agency Anadolu reported that police conducted coordinated raids across several locations on Thursday, leading to the detention of 11 suspects, with efforts still underway to apprehend five more individuals.
The arrests follow a call by opposition leader Ozgur Ozel to boycott businesses allegedly linked to President Tayyip Erdogan’s government. The campaign escalated on Wednesday, with a call for a one-day shopping halt.
While the Turkish government has condemned the boycott, labeling it an effort to destabilize the economy, it is noteworthy that the Erdogan regime itself has repeatedly called for boycotts in the past, targeting foreign companies and products it perceives as hostile to Turkey’s interests.
Turkey’s economy, already struggling with high inflation and currency instability, has experienced slow growth, with March inflation reaching 38.1%. While some business owners reported a significant drop in customers following the boycott, others defended it as a legitimate form of protest.
