Stories from Turkey

A family physician, Turgay Hapani, has recovered after receiving a kidney transplant from one of his patients. The patient donated the kidney to the doctor to treat his kidney disease. Both the donor and the recipient are reported to be in good health following the procedure.

Turkish civil society groups are calling for international public reaction regarding twenty Turkish citizens held hostage. The groups stated they are treating the situation as a hot agenda item and will not remain silent. Ankara has reportedly issued a reaction to the incident. Following the release of research regarding a container massacre, 126 civil society organizations are demanding action. Currently, there is no penalty clause or mechanism requiring companies to pay if they fail to complete projects after winning auctions. The absence of financial sanctions allows companies to submit unrealistically high bids without consequence.

Murat Güneş, the CHP candidate, won the election for Deputy Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The CHP held a 24 to 12 majority in the municipal council against the Cumhur İttifakı. Tensions and arguments occurred during the first two rounds of voting, but the result remained unchanged in the third round. He replaces Onursal Güzel, who was arrested following bribery allegations. The election process reportedly involved intermittent changes during the voting period. Güneş received 22 votes, while Serhan Orhan received 14 votes. The CHP maintained a 12 to 24 advantage over the People's Alliance during the municipal council voting process. Murat Güneş, the candidate for the Republican People's Party, has won the election for Deputy Mayor of Atasehir Municipality in Istanbul.

The Turkish Union of Labor and Industry released research regarding hunger and poverty thresholds for April. This figure represents the monthly food expenditure required for a family of four to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The poverty threshold, which covers food plus mandatory expenses like clothing, housing, transportation, education, and health, has reached 110,000 lira. The report was discussed on NTV Radyo. The report notes that the hunger threshold was previously cited around 34,000 lira in April. The findings were discussed during a May Day broadcast. Labor unions in Istanbul are scheduled to hold May Day activities starting in the early morning. Groups will gather at the Taksim Monument to lay wreaths and carnations. Union headquarters located in Beşiktaş, Şişli, and Kadıköy are expected to be central points for these gatherings.

Lawyers and bar association presidents are protesting the death of Hatice Koca Efe in Bursa. Many lawyers from the Istanbul Bar arrived in Bursa by bus to express their reactions to the attack. For one week, lawyers will carry a photograph of Hatice Koca Efe on their robes during court hearings. The Istanbul Bar has made several decisions to honor the deceased colleague. Lawyers in Bursa will wear a photograph of deceased colleague Hatice Koca Tefen on their robes. Hundreds of lawyers and bar association presidents gathered in front of the Bursa courthouse to protest the killing of a colleague. Many lawyers traveled to Istanbul by bus to participate in the commemoration. The deceased reportedly had an outstanding debt of 5 million lira. The incident involves a victim named Serra and siblings Hatice Koca Efe and Elif Çalışkan.

Hundreds of lawyers from dozens of different provinces gathered in front of the Bursa Courthouse to protest the death of Hatice Koca Efe. Seven suspects, including the individual who pulled the trigger, Hakkı Çetin, were apprehended by the gendarmerie and are undergoing interrogation. The incident reportedly occurred after an enforcement paper was sent regarding a 5 million claim. The suspect, identified as M.K., was in a taxi at the time of the incident. Koca Efe was shot in the chest during the attack and subsequently died. Many lawyers traveled to the location by bus to participate in the commemoration. The group stated they will continue to fight against violence directed at judicial officials. Colleagues gathered in front of the Bursa Bar Association to protest the murder of a young professional following an armed attack.

Turkish meteorologists warned that sunny weather at ski resorts will be replaced by cloudy and rainy conditions this weekend due to cold air masses from Russia. Temperatures are expected to drop to 3 degrees Celsius in Ankara and 8 degrees Celsius in Istanbul.

Turkey will release a 10-year vision document regarding family and social policies on May 2 in Istanbul. The policy is expected to enter into force at the beginning of next month. The Ministry of Family and Population is also facilitating exam processes for students requiring special assistance for central exams. For the central exam scheduled for June 13, readers and coders will assist students. These assistants will be selected from teachers who successfully completed a newly established training course this year. Details related to the program are being awaited and will be conveyed to members. Turkey has issued a decree said the preservation of the family structure as a state priority.

A military area covering approximately 2.6 million square meters in Başakşehir, Istanbul, has been included in a privatization plan by decision of President Erdoğan. The move involves the transfer of state-owned military land to the private sector.

Prosecutors allege the murder of Veysi Çebik was carried out following a family council decision based on honor. The prosecution stated the execution of the crime was planned with military-like precision. The prosecution described the execution of the crime as being carried out with a plan resembling a military operation. The document states that Nevzat Bahtiyar waited at the door of the residence where the incident occurred but did not enter. According to the court findings, Salim Güran, Yüksel Güran, and Enes Güran killed Narin Güran before delivering her to Nevzat Bahtiyar.