This photo taken on Feb 22, 2023 shows a member of the special forces attempting a helicopter landing on a building damaged by a deadly earthquake in Diyarbakir, south-eastern Türkiye. (PHOTO / AFP)
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey – Turkish police detained 110 people over alleged militant ties, security sources said on Tuesday, with a pro-Kurdish lawmaker saying politicians, lawyers and journalists were among those arrested in raids that he linked to elections on May 14.
The security sources said the operation was focused on Diyarbakir, the largest city in mainly Kurdish southeast Türkiye, and extended over 21 provinces, targeting people accused of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group.
The operation came less than three weeks before presidential and parliamentary votes that represent the biggest electoral challenge President Tayyip Erdogan has faced since his AK Party first came to power in 2002.
"On the eve of the election, out of fear of losing power, they have resorted to detention operations again," Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Tayip Temel said on Twitter.
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He said tens of politicians, including top members of his party, journalists, artists and lawyers were among those detained in Diyarbakir on Tuesday morning.