[Today's Prayer] Turkey Dismisses Allegations of Torture of 'Anti-Government Protest' Detainees

Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç on the 7th (local time) dismissed allegations that judicial authorities abused those detained for staging anti-government protests against the investigation of the opposition's presidential candidate.

According to state broadcaster TRT Haber, Minister Tunç told reporters at a university in Istanbul that day, "There are reports coming from abroad about acts such as strip searches or torture, but such things can never happen."

Minister Tunç emphasized that there are surveillance cameras in detention centers, prisons, and courts, and that "a zero-tolerance policy on torture is being implemented."

He also stated that body searches of detainees are conducted according to legal regulations only when there is suspicion of possessing prohibited items, so methods such as "naked searches" are not allowed.

Regarding concerns raised that minors were among those arrested during the protests, Minister Tunç mentioned, "Some teenagers have been released, and the rest will be judged by the court."

Furthermore, he criticized Özgür Özel, who was re-elected as the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) the previous day, for calling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the "head of a military government," describing it as an "unacceptable insult."

Leader Özel has been leading the anti-government protest movement since the arrest on March 19th of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the prominent Istanbul Mayor from his party and a strong presidential contender, on terrorism and corruption charges.

Addressing President Erdoğan, Leader Özel reiterated his call for an early presidential election, stating, "He will face our presidential candidate no later than November this year," referring to the presidential election scheduled for 2028.

(Omitted)

Source : Nate News

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. (Psalm 13:5)

God, recently Turkey continues to face difficult realities due to much turmoil and problems within the nation.

In these end times, we ask that You hold onto those who are distressed because there is nowhere to place their hope on this earth due to the difficult realities before their eyes.

Please help the national leaders who govern Turkey not to become those who fill their own interests and selfish desires!

We hope to see the Turkish people filled not with those who cling to this hopeless land and are greedy, but with those who dream of the eternal hope of heaven.

Now, may Turkey not follow false Islam, not focus on visible realities and gains, but rely solely on Your steadfast love and become a nation that yearns for and rejoices in Your salvation!

Also, Lord, have mercy on and hold onto the numerous next generations and youths in Turkey, so that they may grow into Your young people like the morning dew, holding Your vision and dreams!

Until that happens, may the churches in Turkey and the global church work harder to witness the gospel of life in this nation, so that powerful churches that the gates of hell cannot overcome may be established everywhere!

So that the Turkish people may participate together in the great history of God's kingdom, rise as a nation that saves many souls and revives many people in the nations!