In early October, the homes of 19 Turkish pop stars, actors and influencers were searched for drugs - among them was the singer Hadise, who represented the country at Eurovision in 2009. She, like the other searched celebrities, were not caught using drugs, but were simply suspects. Special units took them to custody early in the morning in Istanbul on the orders of the local prosecutor's office to have their blood tests done and to be questioned.
The interesting thing is that all of these celebrities have made some critical statements about the authorities in recent months, ARD writes. For example, the popular actress Demet Evgar, who, after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March, shared the opposition's call for a boycott on social media and called for the release of students who were detained on the streets of the metropolis during protests against İmamoğlu's arrest.
Attempt at intimidation
The leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, Özgür Özel, called the operation an attempt at intimidation by the Turkish government. "This is not about fighting crime", he said. According to him, drug traffickers and mafias are at large, but at the same time, the homes of artists are searched at five in the morning. "This operation sends a message - either you will be our artists or your turn will come."
In recent months, Turkish celebrities, especially musicians, have been increasingly investigated. For example, an investigation has been launched against the popular band "Manifest" after the performers chanted opposition slogans at their concert. Singer Mabel Matiz is facing an effective sentence, ARD writes. The prosecutor's office has charged him with "obscenity" - this is about his song, which tells the story of a love story between two men.
Slander campaign by pro-government media
Media close to the government in Turkey have also launched a smear campaign against the musician, ARD writes. Matiz is gay, and the LGBTI community in Turkey has suffered from repression for years, which has been increasingly intensified by the conservative Islamic government.
According to Selcuk Candansayar, a psychology professor at Ankara University, it is about control. However, he believes that the government is losing people's trust as a result of these actions. "People no longer consider the statements of those in power to be credible. Truth and lies are blurred and do not play a role", explains the psychologist. "Many are left with the impression that if someone is publicly accused of something, then they are not guilty, and the government simply wants to deal with them."
The case of Ekrem İmamoğlu is a great example of this theory, writes ARD. Since he was arrested, his rating has risen and many Turks want him to replace Erdogan. Currently, a number of charges have been brought against İmamoğlu, the latest of which is "espionage for a foreign country".
Allegedly positive tests
A few days ago, the results of the 19 celebrities who were detained and subjected to drug tests were released. The results first appeared in pro-government media, even before they reached the accused. Eleven of them are said to have tested negative, while eight have tested positive. Among them is actress Birce Akalay. The 41-year-old woman said she had never used the substances allegedly present in her blood sample, but had been taking antidepressants.
It is not yet clear whether charges will be brought against her or the others. In the spring, Akalay accused the government of using the judiciary for political pressure. "We live in a time that resembles the Inquisition in the Middle Ages," she wrote at the time.
Author: Katharina Willinger (ARD)