Ömer Aksu, a 17-year-old high school student, has faced three months of solitary confinement at the Kayseri Bünyan Closed Juvenile and Youth Prison. Aksu’s detention is part of a broader crackdown on dissent leading up to the recent NATO Summit in Ankara, which took place on July 7-8. Arrested when he was just 16 years old, his case gained attention after 13 members of the Turkish parliament advocated for his release, leading to a review by the Human Rights Inquiry Committee in Türkiye’s Grand National Assembly.
Detailing the Circumstances of His Arrest
Aksu was taken into custody on July 5, with the Konya 3rd Criminal Judgeship of Peace later charging him with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and “organizational propaganda” on July 8. His confinement has not been in a standard ward but rather in isolation, where the lights remain on continuously. He has reportedly only been granted 30 minutes a day in the open-air courtyard; on weekends or select weekdays, he isn’t allowed outdoors at all.
Reports from Aksu, conveyed through his lawyers, reveal alarming conditions: the isolation cell lacks basic facilities like a toilet or a bathroom, compelling him to request permission from guards for essential needs. His health has deteriorated significantly, with a recent alarming spike in blood pressure leading to hospitalization. Surprisingly, after three months, no formal indictment has yet been lodged against him, raising questions about the legality of his ongoing detention.
The Nature of the Charges Against Him
The “evidence” presented by the court against Aksu seems tenuous at best, consisting primarily of stickers and leaflets found at his home, alongside innocuous social media posts. His actual crime appears to be his involvement with the Revolutionary Youth Associations (DGD), a legally recognized organization registered with the Interior Ministry. The DGD advocates against the oppressive child labor practices in Vocational Education Centers (MESEM) and pushes for providing free school meals for children.
Aksu’s arrest occurred amid an extensive wave of oppositional repression orchestrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government, coinciding with the NATO summit that welcomed leaders from multiple imperialist nations, most notably the U.S. President. Throughout this period, authorities executed simultaneous house raids targeting members of various student organizations and leftist parties, resulting in over 668 detentions.
Motivation Behind the Crackdown
The crackdown seems to stem from fears that dissent could erupt during the NATO summit, reminiscent of the mass protests seen during the Gezi Park uprising in 2013. Authorities unjustifiably characterized various lawful activities—like union participation and peaceful protests—as signs of impending disruption. Disturbingly, even individuals associated with environmental and social causes, such as TEMA Foundation members, faced similar accusations, revealing the blanket strategy to silence dissent.
Following the summit, the pace of releases for those arrested has gradually increased, yet dozens remain imprisoned. The rationale for the widespread detentions suggests a targeted attempt to quash anti-war sentiment and opposition to NATO’s escalating military role, fearing an uprising against the Turkish government’s alignment with imperialist forces.
The government’s repressive tactics in Türkiye mirror wider patterns observed in other countries, where dissent against war and imperialist policies faces aggressive suppression. As public discontent swells against NATO’s military engagements and the alignment with U.S. policies, ongoing political activism and solidarity efforts are more crucial than ever in supporting those unjustly detained, underscoring the need for collective resistance against repressive regimes.