103 arrests, including Assoc. Prof. Dr Emel Memiş
NATO operation in Ankara: 103 arrests, including Assoc. Prof. Dr Emel Memiş
TEMA VOLUNTEERS REMANDED IN CUSTODY
Among those referred to court with a request for remand, 6 TEMA volunteers, including TEMA Ankara Provincial Representative Nevzat Özer, were remanded in custody by the 4th Criminal Court of Peace before which they appeared.
Subsequently, by a decision rendered by the 10th Criminal Court of Peace, a further 10 people, including Ankara University faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr Emel Memiş and TEMA volunteers, were remanded in custody.
The same court ordered house arrest for 5 people on the grounds of their advanced age.
Of the 15 people referred to the 2nd Criminal Court of Peace, 14 were remanded in custody, whilst 1 person was placed under house arrest.
Tuğba Kiper, one of the TEMA volunteers placed under house arrest, stated the following in her prosecutor’s statement: “I am a 79-year-old citizen. I was one of Türkiye’s first female engineers. Almost all currently active motorways were built with my signature. After retiring, I worked as a board member. During my time in work, I represented my country and my institution at meetings abroad. I have always been proud of the work I have done with my institution and my country. I show a great interest in nature. I give training to children for the TEMA Foundation because I love nature and children. We provide education in all primary schools. I have absolutely no connection or affiliation with the mentioned organisation.”
73-year-old Necla Konuşmaz, who is retired from the Ministry of Finance, also said, “I served my state for 33 years in the Ministry of Finance. I have never been involved in any incident. I have committed no crime. I solely volunteered for the TEMA Foundation because I love plants and trees so much. Other than this, I have absolutely no connection or affiliation with any named organisation.”
REMAND IN CUSTODY FOR YILDIZ TAR
The decision was announced regarding those referred to the 11th Criminal Court of Peace. Whilst a remand in custody decision was issued for 7 people, including journalist Yıldız Tar and TEMA volunteers, 8 people were placed under house arrest.
The remainder of the detainees will be referred to the courthouse this morning.
“YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR TRUMP”
14 people from various political parties and associations outside the TEMA Foundation were remanded in custody by the 2nd Criminal Court of Peace before which they appeared. Following the announcement of the decision, an argument broke out between the remanded individuals, their lawyers, and the police. One of the remanded individuals said to the police, “You are doing this for Trump, shame on you. He turned the Middle East into a bloodbath. You are tormenting citizens just because NATO members are coming.”
Lawyers Semra Demir and Kürşat Bafra from the ÇHD are also amongst those remanded.
EMEL MEMİŞ: “I AM SOMEONE WHO HAS DEDICATED MY LIFE TO EDUCATION”
It was learned that Emel Memiş, in her statement to the judgeship, repeated her statement at the police station, saying, “I am a faculty member at Ankara University. I have taken part in speeches at many meetings of international boards. It is not possible for me to commit such a crime.” Noting that she has no connection with the organisation mentioned in the accusation, Memiş stated that there is no criminal charge attributable to her and used the expressions, “I am someone who has dedicated my whole life to education and service to my state. I do not accept the accusation levelled against me. I request to be released.”
UMUT-SEN SPOKESPERSON ARIKAN: “MY CHILD WILL RECEIVE THEIR REPORT CARD”
It was learned that the Umut-Sen (The Union of Hope) Spokesperson Burcu Arıkan, for whom a remand in custody decision was issued, also repeated her declarations from the police station in her statement to the judgeship. Stating that she has been a civil servant since 2009, Arıkan said, “Three years ago, I underwent a security clearance and was transferred to Ankara. I have absolutely no connection or affiliation with this accusation.” Drawing attention to her child’s report card day, Arıkan stated, “My child will be receiving their report card and I want to be by their side. I do not accept the accusation levelled against me. I request to be released.”
OVER 200 PEOPLE HAD BEEN DETAINED
Over 200 people operating in various political and social organisations had been detained in morning raids on homes ahead of the NATO summit to be held in Ankara on 7-8 July.
Among those detained were Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences Economics Department faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr Emel Memiş, journalist Yıldız Tar, Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association Ankara Branch Youth Representative Ferhat Kaplan, and TEMA volunteers.
A 24-hour restriction on consulting with lawyers had been imposed on the journalists, activists, and academics who were detained on the morning of 23 June.
Note: This article is translated from the original article titled Ankara’da NATO operasyonu: Doç. Dr. Emel Memiş dahil 103 tutuklama, published in BirGün newspaper on June 26, 2026.
