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Turkey's Mass Trials Spark Outcry Over Authoritarianism

4/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On April 18, 2025, Turkey launched mass trials for 189 individuals, including students and journalists, in response to protests supporting Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Human Rights Watch condemned these proceedings as politically charged and devoid of evidence, highlighting a troubling trend of rising authoritarianism under President Erdogan's regime, which continues to stifle dissent.

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Story summary

On April 18, 2025, Turkey launched mass trials for 189 individuals, including students and journalists, in response to protests supporting Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Human Rights Watch condemned these proceedings as politically charged and devoid of evidence, highlighting a troubling trend of rising authoritarianism under President Erdogan's regime, which continues to stifle dissent.