Stories from Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized opposition party members for turning their backs on a children's mehter (military band) team during April 23rd celebrations in Gaziantep. Erdoğan stated that citizens would become homeowners with low installments and secure deliveries. He also mentioned discussions with CHP mayors regarding the current situation in their municipalities. Turkey's President has criticized the opposition regarding a perceived snub of the Mehter team. The Mehter team is a traditional Ottoman military band.

An assailant was apprehended after an attack on a political figure, with authorities stating the individual acted alone. The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas. Donald Trump stated in a Tuesday morning CNBC interview that he expects a "great deal" to be reached regarding peace talks with Iran. He claimed the US has successfully neutralized Iranian naval capabilities. This optimistic tone follows recent threats to destroy Iranian civilization. Questions remain regarding the specific nature of the security breach. Secret Service personnel were observed bundling VIP members of the administration out of the venue. Observers noted the President appeared fatigued and shaken during his response to the chaos. The attacker had previously attempted to target the subject on two other occasions, including one instance where the subject was injured.

Turkish Intelligence officials held telephone discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Shots were reported in corridors 25-30 meters from the event hall, and the incident occurred at the same hotel where Ronald Reagan was previously targeted. At least five gunshots were heard during the event, causing over 2,000 attendees to seek cover under tables. Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Karoline Leavitt were on the podium during the shooting. The suspect has been identified by news reports from CNN and the Wall Street Journal. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire from a gate approximately 500 meters from a hotel and the event hall. Police and security personnel directed pedestrians away from Connecticut Avenue due to the presence of the Secret Service.

Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced the implementation of a student-based risk analysis system following recent school attacks. The plan aims to move away from the current model of assigning two police officers to every school, which is deemed unsustainable for 75,000 schools. Security personnel may be provided through service procurement or general budget allocations to ensure long-term sustainability. The Turkish Ministry has issued a directive to redesign school risk assessments using a scoring system for provinces. The new analysis includes digital risks such as cyberbullying, social media targeting, and violent content. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be established for students identified within high-risk groups. A guideline has been sent to provinces regarding how risk scores will be calculated.

The Gendarmerie has initiated searches related to an ongoing investigation in Tunceli. The Turkish Gendarmerie General Command has deployed a specialist team to Tunceli to investigate the potential burial site of Gülistan Dokun. This follows a previous search using underground imaging devices that identified a suspicious void in a grave site, though no bones or findings were recovered. Investigators are also looking into new developments regarding the deletion of Dokun's hospital records. While the void was identified as a potential grave, no bones or physical findings have been reported from the site. Specialist Gendarmerie teams are now examining specific areas where underground imaging previously detected a suspicious void. Investigators are also reviewing new developments concerning the deletion of hospital records related to Gulistan Dokun.

Two IT officers were detained at Tunceli State Hospital as part of the Gulistan 9 investigation. Authorities are examining areas where Gulistan Dokun may have been buried after reports indicated no bones or findings were initially located in the void. New developments have also emerged regarding the deletion of hospital records related to the case. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding Dokun's disappearance. Authorities have begun re-examining 638 investigation files identified over the last 75 years. Turkish Minister Çiftçi stated that 97% of murders committed in the last 23 years have been solved. Çiftçi said that no one will be exempt from justice regardless of circumstances. The minister noted that the state's security and justice mechanisms are fully operational. He also noted that border security has not been threatened since the start of the Iran war.

Turkish municipalities, particularly those led by the main opposition, are facing investigations. The Minister of Interior stated that anyone with negligence or complicity will be held accountable. The CHP leader criticized the government's focus on 'money towers' and accused them of enriching themselves through municipalities. Legal professionals are expected to address these issues through upcoming elections, with a vote scheduled for June 2028. The Minister of Labor and Social Security announced that 36 million lira of outstanding payments to miners have been deposited, with the remainder to be paid next week.

The Turkish National Intelligence Organization conducted a joint drug operation with the Syrian Ministry of Interior. The operation spanned from Alexandria to Beirut, Lebanon, and concluded in Syria. Intelligence indicated a large vessel carrying the shipment departed from Southeast Asia. The operation follows intelligence regarding a shipment passing through Alexandria, Egypt. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi met with media editors in Istanbul to discuss border security and unsolved murders. Istanbul Police Department narcotics teams conducted simultaneous raids on 8 nightclubs and 4 other businesses. Authorities detained 94 suspects during the operation. The crackdown resulted in 106 people being detained and 89 individuals being arrested. The source stated that the target remains clear and net.

Gendarmerie search and rescue teams have been deployed to Tunceli to locate the body of Gülistan Doku. Doku disappeared on January 5, 2020, following allegations that Mustafa Türk Aysunel, son of former governor Tunca Isoneli, killed her. Specialized teams are using advanced technology and narrowed base data to scan suspicious locations. The search aims to resolve the long-standing question regarding the location of her remains. The Jack and Jassat teams are actively moving through specific points to facilitate the search. The operation includes detailed inspections of suspicious areas to locate missing persons. A chief physician has been detained as part of an investigation into the deletion and alteration of medical records.

Five specialized investigation teams have been deployed to conduct searches in Tunceli with support from the Provincial Gendarmerie Command. Five separate JASAT investigation teams have been established to conduct targeted searches in Tunceli. Military forces and police are providing operational support for the search efforts. Police and military forces have launched an investigation in Tunceli involving five search teams. A specialized team from the Gendarmerie General Command has been deployed to the area to search for Dokun in potential burial sites. No physical evidence or bones have been found in the investigation so far. Two information technology workers, Burçin Ye and Yücel E, have been taken into custody at the Tunceli State Hospital in Tunceli, Turkey.