Turkey on Friday, 18 September 2026

Politics World press 34 sources 4 updates 19 Sept, 00:55

Murder and organized crime charges in Kozinoğlu investigation

In the investigation into the 2011 death of Kaşif Kozinoğlu at Silivri Prison, retired officials Hasan Ataman Yıldırım and Hasan Atilla Uğur were placed under house arrest on charges of "intentional killing," while then-Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor Ali İşgören and prison prosecutor Necip Doğan were referred to a magistrate's court with a request for arrest on charges of "membership in a criminal organization."

Politics 14 sources 2 updates 18 Sept, 20:58

Court lifts injunction on CHP's Istanbul branch, Tekin's temporary duty ends

The Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance lifted the interim injunctions dated September 2, 2025, citing "changed circumstances and conditions." Gürsel Tekin said that since Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had appointed him as provincial chairman, his duty continued in an "appointed" capacity.

Politics World press 17 sources 18 Sept, 16:58

Higher Education Council (YÖK) sends letter to universities: "Terror-Free Türkiye" to be covered in first class

In a letter signed by YÖK Chairman Erol Özvar and sent to all universities, it was requested that the goal be covered at 2026-2027 academic year opening ceremonies and first classes, and that panels, conferences and workshops be organized.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 06:10

Sözcü: Cemil Bayık said they would not lay down arms unless Öcalan is released

According to Sözcü, Cemil Bayık, a senior figure of the PKK (listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the EU and the US), said in a statement on the process, "We will not lay down arms if Apo is not freed," and argued that the law passed in the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) does not meet their demands.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 06:10

Alleged attack on former AKP district chairman in café in Nizip, one person arrested

According to Sözcü, in the Nizip district of Gaziantep, former AKP District Chairman Yakup Karakuş was attacked by four people at a café he visited on Monday; suspects were detained and one person was arrested.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 06:00

Debate over Erdoğan's re-candidacy: lawyer raises objection over election law

According to Yeniçağ, Presidential Chief Advisor Mehmet Uçum said "Erdoğan's candidacy is settled, there is no obstacle before him," while lawyer Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu argued, citing election law provisions, that running again is not possible.

Politics 1 source 9 updates 19 Sept, 06:00

Structure of the disarmament sub-commission under discussion

According to Nefes, the membership of the Disarmament and Strategic Coordination Sub-Commission, planned to be established under the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process, is being debated; Presidential Chief Advisor Mehmet Uçum said Abdullah Öcalan would "take a role" in the commission.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 05:35

Police chiefs of 39 provinces changed by decree

According to a decree published in the Official Gazette, the police chiefs of 39 provinces were changed; a total of 69 appointments and duty changes were made in the central and provincial organizations, and the current chiefs of 24 provinces were placed at the disposal of the General Directorate of Security.

Politics World press 33 sources 19 Sept, 01:35

Prosecutor Uçuk suspended from duty, detention order issued against him

The Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) Second Chamber unanimously decided to temporarily suspend Bozova Public Prosecutor Türkşad Kunthan Uçuk from duty for three months. Afterward, the Tekirdağ Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation for "insulting a public official" and issued a detention order.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 05:42

BirGün: MHP officials visited classrooms at a high school in Ankara

According to a BirGün report, MHP Deputy Chairman Mevlüt Karakaya along with provincial and district party officials entered classrooms at Ankara Social Sciences High School; the school principal announced the visit saying "assessments were made on Türkiye's future."

Politics 3 sources 4 updates 18 Sept, 17:17

EU says it is following detentions in "My Family Is Safe" operations with concern

In operations spanning 15 provinces, legal proceedings were reportedly launched against 162 suspects, 9 associations and 13 businesses. The EU said it was following the detentions and access blocks "with concern," had "noted" reports that most detainees were released, and reiterated its call for anti-discrimination recommendations to be implemented.

Politics 2 sources 2 updates 18 Sept, 16:58

CHP Supreme Disciplinary Board closes files on members who left the party

The board halted investigations into 51 people who joined another party or resigned, under Article 71/15 of the party bylaws; Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer received a definitive expulsion penalty. One source also reported that the files of 9 members of parliament were closed.

Politics 8 sources 19 Sept, 02:15

Bahçeli describes the system as a "civilizational project" in his Ahilik Week message

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a written statement for Ahilik Week, describing the ahi tradition as a socio-economic model that shaped Anatolia from the 13th century onward, and calling it "the strongest and most functional guide" against ethical problems.

Politics 4 sources 19 Sept, 01:13

Çiftçi calls on governors for 'on-site assessment' in social aid

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, speaking at a meeting attended by the governors of all 81 provinces and foundation officials, said, "We are obliged to identify our citizens' needs in time and to meet those needs at the right time and place," and asked that foundation performance scorecards be monitored.

Politics 3 sources 19 Sept, 01:44

Justice Minister Gürlek in Adana: 13th Judicial Package planned for October

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek met with judges and prosecutors at the Adana Courthouse, saying the 13th Judicial Package is planned to be enacted in October and that a scoring system has been introduced for appointments. Gürlek also met with young people in Adana.

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 04:10

Cumhuriyet: It is being discussed that three lawmakers could move to AKP in the new legislative year

According to information Cumhuriyet reported as coming from behind-the-scenes sources, the possibility that two İYİ Party lawmakers and one Yeni Parti lawmaker could join AKP is being discussed for the legislative year starting on October 1. According to the newspaper, 19 lawmakers have moved to AKP since the 2023 elections.

Politics 4 sources 19 Sept, 00:55

Berat Albayrak arrives in Trabzon for Trabzonspor-Galatasaray match

Former Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak reportedly arrived in Trabzon with his family to watch the Trabzonspor-Galatasaray match, to be played on Saturday, September 19, from the stands. According to reports, Albayrak will spend the weekend in the city.

Tonight 20:00

Politics 2 sources 18 Sept, 20:58

Özel visits jailed Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Bozbey in prison

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel visited Mustafa Bozbey at Bursa H-Type Prison. Özel said Bozbey was elected in the local elections with a margin of more than 160,000 votes, and that the composition of the municipal council played a role in his removal from office.

Politics 3 sources 19 Sept, 02:50

YENİ Party's Yavuzyılmaz criticizes the nuclear power plant project in Sinop

YENİ Party Zonguldak MP Deniz Yavuzyılmaz said the land for the nuclear power plant planned in Sinop was about to be allocated to a foreign country "for a period reaching 100 years." The MPs met with journalists in Sinop and also raised the demand for a press profession law.

Politics 1 source 9 updates 19 Sept, 03:35

Dervişoğlu makes statements on the process and İmralı claims

İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu, in an interview with Sözcü, said "The final word belongs to the nation" regarding the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process and described claims that a house was being built at İmralı for a convict as a "crime."

Politics 1 source 19 Sept, 04:10

Communications Directorate to hire 15 assistant experts without requiring KPSS

According to the announcement, the KPSS requirement is not sought for the exam application; the hiring is open to graduates of political science, economics and administrative sciences, business administration, economics, communications, and computer and software engineering. The process has three stages consisting of pre-elimination, field knowledge, and an oral exam, with an application fee of 1,100 lira.

Politics 6 sources 9 updates 18 Sept, 23:18

Güler makes "Terror-Free Türkiye" remarks at Veterans Day ceremony

Defence Minister (MSB) Yaşar Güler said at the ceremony at the Turkish Military Academy that they are carrying out the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process "meticulously, without making any concessions on the state's strength or the nation's sensitivities."

Politics 2 sources 19 Sept, 00:34

Defence Ministry (MSB) shares footage of F-16 training flight over Western Black Sea

The ministry announced that a "Black Sea training flight" was successfully carried out by F-16s taking off from the 5th Main Jet Base Command in Merzifon, Amasya, and released footage of the flight.

Politics 7 sources 19 Sept, 01:35

Release order for two suspects in Aktaş assassination-plot case

Selahattin Yılmaz and Cem Duman, who had been held in pretrial detention for 13 months over an alleged armed attack plot targeting Aziz İhsan Aktaş, were ordered released after an objection to their detention. Duman was freed; Yılmaz will remain in prison because he is convicted in another case.

Politics 5 sources 9 updates 18 Sept, 23:36

Gürlek: full weapons handover and National Security Council determination required for law to take effect

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, speaking at the MHP Provincial Headquarters in Adana, said that for the regulation passed in the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) with 467 votes in favor to take effect, the organization must be dissolved with all its elements, weapons must be fully handed over, this must be determined and confirmed by the National Security Council (MGK), and the decision must be published in the Official Gazette.

Politics World press 7 sources 4 updates 18 Sept, 23:18

Özgür Özel spoke in Bursa, called on Erdoğan to renew elections

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel said in his speech following a march in Bursa that he had visited jailed Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey in prison that morning, and called on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to "come and let's renew the elections in Bursa."

Politics 4 sources 19 Sept, 00:01

Meral Akşener Foundation established with initial assets of 5 million lira

The establishment of the Istanbul-based foundation of İYİ Party founding leader Meral Akşener has been completed; according to the Official Gazette, if the foundation is dissolved, its remaining assets will be transferred to the Mehmetçik Foundation.

Politics 2 sources 9 updates 19 Sept, 01:35

Hayati Yazıcı discusses "Terror-Free Türkiye" process in Erzurum

AKP Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı, speaking at events in Erzurum, described the process as aiming for "the brotherhood of 86 million citizens" and emphasized the contribution of the MHP and Devlet Bahçeli.

Economy World press 30 sources 19 Sept, 04:35

Erdoğan opens İstanbul Airport's 4th main runway running east-west

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at the ceremony "We are in the Champions League of aviation" and noted that passenger numbers on domestic and international flights rose from 34.5 million in 2002 to more than 247 million in 2025. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the 2,820-meter runway is the first built on an east-west axis.

Economy World press 31 sources 18 Sept, 23:18

Gürlek: 20 arrests in capital markets; 40 arrested in fruit-and-vegetable investigation

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that 20 people had been arrested in manipulative trading investigations and that 51 people had been banned from leaving the country. In Istanbul's fresh fruit and vegetable pricing investigation, all 40 suspects referred to court were arrested.

Economy 10 sources 19 Sept, 05:48

Banking regulator BDDK revokes Bank Mellat's Istanbul branch operating license

Under a decision dated September 18, the banking regulator BDDK revoked the operating license of the Istanbul Türkiye Central Branch of Iran-based Bank Mellat, under paragraph (b) of the first clause of Article 71 of the Banking Law. The decision was published in the Official Gazette.

Economy 7 sources 2 updates 18 Sept, 16:58

Funds of seven portfolio companies closed, 131 funds enter liquidation process

On September 17, the Capital Markets Board (SPK) closed the Electronic Fund Trading Platform (TEFAS) funds of Tera, Pusula, Hedef, Atlas, A1, Pardus and Bulls Portföy to buying and selling; according to BirGün's calculations, the 223 funds of these companies total approximately 1.10 trillion lira in size, with 932,000 investors.

Economy 1 source 2 updates 19 Sept, 05:48

BirGün: Harvest season ended in losses for farmers, support payments below inflation

According to BirGün's report, producers suffered losses on many products from sunflower to hazelnut due to purchase prices and input costs; the newspaper reported that the state debt arising from the gap between the support envisaged in the Agriculture Law and the support actually paid amounted to approximately 2 trillion lira.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 06:00

Nefes: Public sector rent expenses reach 25.7 billion lira in eight months

Citing Treasury and Finance Ministry budget data, Nefes reported that rent expenses from January to August 2026 totaled 25.712 billion lira (TL); the largest item was 9.907 billion lira (TL) spent on staff shuttle rentals.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 05:48

Religious Affairs Foundation's 2.12 billion lira stake in investment fund becomes subject of controversy

BirGün reported that following the Capital Markets Board (SPK)'s decision to disclose investors holding large shares in investment funds, the Turkey Religious Affairs Foundation's stake in a participation money market fund was 2.12 billion lira; the report referenced the Supreme Council of Religious Affairs' 2022 zakat fatwa.

Economy 5 sources 18 Sept, 16:58

Gap between state grain board price and free market price for hazelnuts under debate

In Ordu, the free market price for hazelnuts is 170-180 lira per kilogram, and 190 lira in Giresun; the Soil Products Office's (TMO) Levant-quality purchase price is cited in sources as either 250 or 255 lira. The Trade Ministry and Competition Authority are reported to have launched a field investigation.

Economy 1 source 18 Sept, 16:58

Bolat meets Tajani in Rome: $40 billion trade target

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat discussed cooperation in space and defense, energy, telecommunications and critical raw materials with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and stressed the importance of updating the Customs Union.

Economy 13 sources 19 Sept, 00:25

40 people arrested in investigation into exorbitant fruit and vegetable prices

All 40 suspects detained in the investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office were arrested; efforts continue to capture one suspect for whom a detention order exists. The operation involved searches at 109 addresses in 22 provinces, and statements were taken from 1,029 farmers.

Economy 2 sources 19 Sept, 04:10

Union objects to privatization of bridges and highways; Bodrum properties included in scope

Yapı-Yol Sen announced that it calculated the 30-year revenue of the 2 Bosphorus bridges and 8 highways brought into the privatization scope by a decision published in the Official Gazette on September 5 at $25.2 billion. A separate Presidential Decree also brought 4 Treasury properties in Bodrum and Sarıyer into the scope.

Economy 10 sources 18 Sept, 20:58

BIST 100 closes the week down 8.18% at 13,284 points

On Borsa Istanbul (BIST), the BIST 100 index saw a weekly low of 12,817.01 and a high of 14,355.46 points, closing the week down 8.18%; the dollar rose 0.36% to 48.7810 lira, while the euro fell 0.91%.

Economy World press 23 sources 18 Sept, 23:18

Inspectors begin audit of hazelnut exchanges, growers protest with tractors in Sakarya

The Trade Ministry assigned inspectors to examine transactions at the Ordu, Giresun, Ünye and Fatsa commodity exchanges. In Kocaali, Sakarya, growers formed a convoy of about 130 tractors to protest the Soil Products Office (TMO)'s purchase prices of 255 lira for Giresun quality and 250 lira for Levant quality.

Economy World press 8 sources 18 Sept, 23:18

Two executives step down at Tera Finansal Yatırımlar and Hedef Holding

Erkan Kilimci, Deputy Chairman and General Manager of Tera Finansal Yatırımlar Holding, resigned of his own accord; Hedef Holding notified the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that board member Namık Kemal Gökalp resigned due to a legal process against him.

Economy 2 sources 19 Sept, 03:35

KASAD Chairman Alican Duran elected president of European carton packaging association ECMA

At the 57th ECMA Congress held in Rome on September 16-18, Alican Duran, Chairman of the Board of KASAD, was elected president of the European Carton Makers Association, which represents more than 650 carton packaging producers across Europe.

Economy 2 sources 19 Sept, 01:44

TÜDKİYEB assesses rise in small ruminant livestock numbers

Sources diverge on the figure: a statement by TÜDKİYEB Chairman Turan Saldırıcıer was reported in one place as saying the count reached the 55-60 million head band, and in another as saying the 60 million mark was exceeded.

Economy 5 sources 19 Sept, 00:01

TÜİK: Number of electric cars in traffic surpasses 472,000

According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data, as of August the number of electric cars registered in traffic rose 53.2% year-on-year to 472,157, accounting for 2.62% of the total 18,037,907 cars.

Economy 6 sources 19 Sept, 01:35

Trakya Birlik sets advance purchase price for sunflower at 37,000 lira per ton

Trakya Birlik set the advance purchase price for sunflower seed with 44% oil content at 37,000 lira per ton; it reported that 235,979 tons have been purchased since the start of the season.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 02:58

Polemic between economist Ash and Sabah columnists in Tera dispute

According to Evrensel, British economist Timothy Ash described on X the presence of certain columnists on the boards of liquidated funds as a "conflict of interest"; the debate continued through Sabah columnists Kerem Alkin and Dilek Güngör.

Economy 1 source 18 Sept, 16:58

Turkish shipping company files complaint with ICC over Black Sea ship attack

T&O Denizcilik, along with the crew of the Turkish-flagged ship Reyhan Sarı, which was attacked in the Black Sea on July 22, and the family of a crew member who died, filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court; the complaint claims Ukraine deliberately targeted the ship.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 02:35

Financial Times: Problem in fund sector caused sharp drop in BIST 100

According to a report by Ekonomim citing the Financial Times, the BIST 100 index fell more than 8% during the week after a portfolio management company announced it could not meet redemption requests on some of its funds.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 02:15

Türkiye ranks 25th in real GDP per capita growth from 1990 to 2025

According to a ranking based on World Bank data, Türkiye's real GDP per capita rose from $12,200 in 1990 to $37,300 in 2025, a 206% increase that placed it 25th. Guyana, China and Equatorial Guinea top the list.

Economy 1 source 19 Sept, 02:35

Deputy Trade Minister Tuzcu discusses investments with Toyota delegation

According to a Trade Ministry post, Deputy Minister Mustafa Tuzcu received a delegation led by Toyota Motor Europe executive Matt Harrison and Toyota Türkiye CEO Murat Bülbül; the meeting addressed the company's investments and export capacity in Türkiye.

Society World press 34 sources 2 updates 19 Sept, 03:35

Operation in Istanbul and Muğla in forex and crypto fraud investigation

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced an operation against a network allegedly defrauding foreign nationals through call centers. Sources differ on the number of suspects detained: 174 or 191.

Society World press 38 sources 3 updates 19 Sept, 00:25

Two people arrested in drug investigation targeting celebrities

Sayat Zurnacı and Aytaç Kart, referred to court in the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office investigation, were arrested; actress Nilperi Şahinkaya, former footballer Hasan Şaş and one other suspect were released under judicial control. Sources gave differing figures for the number detained, ranging from 15 to 21.

Society 7 sources 4 updates 18 Sept, 16:14

Academics react to "My Family Is Safe" operations with joint letter

About 1,250 academics, including signatories Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek, called for the release of LGBTI+ rights advocates and the removal of access blocks. DEM Party MP Sevilay Çelenk raised the issue at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's Equality Committee.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 05:48

Decision granting TPAO urgent expropriation authority in Thrace under debate

BirGün wrote that a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on September 5, 2026 granted TPAO urgent expropriation authority in its licensed fields in Thrace, and that the decision covers not only drilling sites but also pipelines, camps and storage facilities.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 05:42

BirGün columnist: New decision removes 4,300 hectares from forest boundaries

In a BirGün opinion column, it was claimed that a published presidential decision removed a total of 4,300 hectares from forest boundaries, with 3,882 hectares in Kızılcahamam alone, and that similar decisions since 2018 have covered approximately 5,000 hectares in total.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 06:00

Numerous products flagged as non-compliant in food public notices

According to Nefes, records from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Food Public Notice system found solipedal (horse) meat in meat products, unauthorized dye in tea and ground pepper, and pharmaceutical active ingredients in some dietary supplements.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 05:48

Controversy over vehicle purchased by Denizli Provincial Mufti's Office

According to Sözcü, the roughly 1 million lira vehicle used by Denizli Provincial Mufti Abdullah Pamuklu was sold and replaced with a brand-new vehicle claimed to have a market value of about 5 million lira; the Din-Bir-Sen union criticized the purchase.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 05:35

Family of deceased motorcycle courier says they are following the case

The sister of 27-year-old motorcycle courier Batuhan Karabulut, who died on March 17 after being hit from behind on the TEM Highway, said the incident was "not a traffic accident, but murder"; driver Uğur S., who is being tried for "causing death through conscious negligence," was rearrested.

Society World press 9 sources 19 Sept, 04:35

Heavy rain disrupts transport in Trabzon, yellow-code warning issued for four provinces

The Trabzon Governor's Office reported that rainfall reached about 50 kilograms per square meter in some parts of the city, that 114 calls were received by the 112 Emergency Call Center, and that 533 personnel were deployed. The Meteorology authority issued a yellow-code warning for Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin for September 19.

Society 23 sources 2 updates 19 Sept, 00:01

Remaining part of building under demolition collapses in Küçükçekmece

The remaining section of a building under demolition at Şirin Sitesi in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece İnönü neighborhood collapsed around 8:30 p.m. Sources diverge on the number injured: either 2 or 3. It was determined no one was under the rubble and search efforts ended.

Society 3 sources 19 Sept, 03:05

Fight between truck drivers at Cilvegözü Border Gate: 3 injured

Near the Cilvegözü Border Gate in Hatay's Reyhanlı district, a fight broke out between drivers after one truck collided with another truck waiting to cross while overtaking; 3 people were injured. The gendarmerie detained those involved in the fight and launched an investigation.

Society World press 2 sources 18 Sept, 23:18

New detentions and DNA testing in Van death investigation

In the investigation led by the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a couple who were detained gave statements and had DNA samples taken, and their home was searched; the couple was later released. The family's lawyer said they might request exhumation of the grave if necessary.

Society World press 21 sources 19 Sept, 00:01

3.8-magnitude earthquake recorded off Kuşadası Gulf

AFAD reported a 3.8-magnitude earthquake at 9:09 p.m. with its epicenter in the Kuşadası Gulf in the Aegean Sea; the depth was given as 7.83 kilometers by AFAD and 8.1 kilometers by Kandilli Observatory.

Society 3 sources 19 Sept, 03:05

In Ezine, a vehicle hit a pedestrian crossing the road, driver fled the scene

In Çanakkale's Ezine district on the Çanakkale-İzmir highway, 97-year-old Yusuf Çelik, who had gotten off a minibus returning from a wedding and was trying to cross the road, was hit by a vehicle and died at the scene. The investigation to find the driver, who fled, continues.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 04:35

Interior Minister Çiftçi: Stray animal collection completed in 78 provinces

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said on TGRT Haber that 99.22% of stray animals had been collected, with work still ongoing in Istanbul, İzmir and Diyarbakır. Çiftçi said they aim to complete the process by October 15 in Istanbul and by the end of October in Diyarbakır.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 04:25

First hearing on November 12 in case of Yağmur Pehlivanlı, 15, who died in Kastamonu

The first hearing will be held on November 12 in the case concerning 15-year-old Yağmur Pehlivanlı, who died in a traffic accident in Kastamonu on August 21, 2025. According to Cumhuriyet, defendant F.N.V., who had moved his residence to Ankara, gave his testimony by instruction at the Ankara Courthouse.

Society 1 source 19 Sept, 04:25