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x0x Turkish News for the week ending 22 March 2025
[This is a transcript of the news broadcast on 22 March 2025]
Courtesy of Turkish Radio Hour, producer of the
TURKISH CULTURAL PROGRAM, every Saturday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.
on KXSF: kxsf.fm/ or FM 102.5 in San Francisco
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Ahmet Toprak is the editor-in-chief. Your broadcast host is Fuad Tokad.
[Uzun İnternet adreslerini radyoda okumayın, şu duyuruyu yapın:
"Look at the news section of our website for more details. www.Turkradio.us".]
NEWS
★ On March 19 morning, police arrested Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Istanbul prosecutor's office charged him with alleged corruption and terror links.
In addition, police arrested around 100 people from the municipality and Mr. İmamoğlu's private construction company. The court also ordered the seizure of his company.
On Wednesday and Thursday nights, his supporters rallied outside the Istanbul City Hall, and on Friday, when he appeared at the court, thousands protested outside an Istanbul court. Police used tear gas against the protesters.
Mr. İmamoğlu's arrest came the day after Istanbul University revoked his diploma due to what they said were irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university.
Most analysts say the decision was politically motivated, and Turkish President Erdoğan's administration pressured the University. Mr. İmamoğlu is a potential rival to Mr. Erdoğan in a future presidential election. However, not having a college degree disqualifies him from running for president.
In addition to Mayor İmamoğlu's, Istanbul University revoked 28 other graduates' diplomas. One is a professor at the prestigious Galatasaray University and the head of the School of M
Dr. Aylin Saybaşılı transferred the same year, just like Mayor İmamoğlu. She completed her bachelor's degree and then eventually went to Sorbonne, one of the best universities in France, and received a PhD.
Observers ask if she has to resign from her position as a professor.
Turkish media reported that the Istanbul University students demonstrated against the government, and police responded by firing tear gas.
Demonstrations continued throughout the week in Turkey's major metropolitan areas – Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir – and spread to other parts of the country, including Adana and Trabzon, a city previously an Erdoğan stronghold.
Political commentators highlight the possibility of the government removing Mr. İmamoğlu from office, a tactic reminiscent of its dismissal of scores of predominantly Kurdish mayors.
They also argue that the government has a clear incentive: to gain control of the Metropolitan municipality's substantial revenue – the largest in Turkey – and channel it to its allies and cronies, repeating a pattern seen when the Justice and Development Party was in power.
In addition, police arrested around 100 people from the municipality and Mr. İmamoğlu's private construction company. The court also ordered the seizure of his company.
On Wednesday and Thursday nights, his supporters rallied outside the Istanbul City Hall, and on Friday, when he appeared at the court, thousands protested outside an Istanbul court. Police used tear gas against the protesters.
Mr. İmamoğlu's arrest came the day after Istanbul University revoked his diploma due to what they said were irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university.
Most analysts say the decision was politically motivated, and Turkish President Erdoğan's administration pressured the University. Mr. İmamoğlu is a potential rival to Mr. Erdoğan in a future presidential election. However, not having a college degree disqualifies him from running for president.
In addition to Mayor İmamoğlu's, Istanbul University revoked 28 other graduates' diplomas. One is a professor at the prestigious Galatasaray University and the head of the School of M
Dr. Aylin Saybaşılı transferred the same year, just like Mayor İmamoğlu. She completed her bachelor's degree and then eventually went to Sorbonne, one of the best universities in France, and received a PhD.
Observers ask if she has to resign from her position as a professor.
Turkish media reported that the Istanbul University students demonstrated against the government, and police responded by firing tear gas.
Demonstrations continued throughout the week in Turkey's major metropolitan areas – Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir – and spread to other parts of the country, including Adana and Trabzon, a city previously an Erdoğan stronghold.
Political commentators highlight the possibility of the government removing Mr. İmamoğlu from office, a tactic reminiscent of its dismissal of scores of predominantly Kurdish mayors.
They also argue that the government has a clear incentive: to gain control of the Metropolitan municipality's substantial revenue – the largest in Turkey – and channel it to its allies and cronies, repeating a pattern seen when the Justice and Development Party was in power.
★ So far, the world's reaction to what Mayor İmamoğlu is going through has been muted.
Neither European governments nor the U. S. administration protested or issued statements condemning Mr. Erdoğan's administration.
Here is a list of organizations and individuals that condemned his arrest:
Neither European governments nor the U. S. administration protested or issued statements condemning Mr. Erdoğan's administration.
Here is a list of organizations and individuals that condemned his arrest:
- Council of Europe
- Kaja Kallas, European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, and Marta Kos, European Union commission member responsible for expansion, made a joint statement.
- Tammy Bruce, U. S. State Department spokesperson, said, "We simply remind that we expect them [Erdoğan administration] to act in a manner that respects the rights of all their citizens. This is already very clear, but it's good to repeat."
- Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for Europe, said, "Draconian actions represent a massive escalation in the Turkish authorities' ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent and the targeting of the main political opposition Republican People's Party just days before it was expected to choose the Istanbul Mayor as its presidential candidate." Read more >> here <<
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said İmamoğlu's arrest was a sad event.
- French Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said Paris was "deeply concerned" by the decision.
- Italy's Dario Nardella, a member of the European Parliament, said on X, "The Europe of mayors, the Europe of cities stands with Ekrem İmamoğlu, stand for democracy and freedom in Turkey."
- Mr. Nardella included a video showing mayors across Europe saying they stand with İmamoğlu.
★ A Turkish court removed İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu, the president of the İstanbul Bar Association, and all board members from office, citing their statement on the deaths of two journalists in a December airstrike in northern Syria.
International and local observers were present in the court.
Citing Article 77/5 of Turkey's Attorneyship Law, the court ruled that the board members acted outside the scope of the bar's mandate. In one month, there will be an election to elect new board members.
International and local observers were present in the court.
Citing Article 77/5 of Turkey's Attorneyship Law, the court ruled that the board members acted outside the scope of the bar's mandate. In one month, there will be an election to elect new board members.
★ ECONOMY
★ After the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem
İmamoğlu, the Turkish lira rapidly sank against the U. S. dollar and other major currencies.
U. S. dollar traded at 40.5 Turkish liras, up from 36.7, a gain of over 10 percent.
Turkish central and other banks sold 8 billion dollars to support the Turkish lira, later settling at around 38 to a dollar.
U. S. dollar traded at 40.5 Turkish liras, up from 36.7, a gain of over 10 percent.
Turkish central and other banks sold 8 billion dollars to support the Turkish lira, later settling at around 38 to a dollar.
★ The Turkish daily Ekonomim wrote the following about the effects of the turmoil:
Since March 19, the losses on the Istanbul stock market have exceeded 19.5%.
A few large companies bought back their shares to perk up the market.
Turkey's Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that what was necessary had been done in the markets, and the central bank also made moves.
Comments from renowned institutions like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Societe Generale came quickly.
British Strategist Timothy Ash also mentioned that the Turkish central bank might face difficulties.
Bloomberg wrote that the Turkish market showed signs of stabilizing on Thursday. It added that political turmoil was a reminder of the risks involved in investing in Turkey.
Since March 19, the losses on the Istanbul stock market have exceeded 19.5%.
A few large companies bought back their shares to perk up the market.
Turkey's Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek stated that what was necessary had been done in the markets, and the central bank also made moves.
Comments from renowned institutions like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Societe Generale came quickly.
British Strategist Timothy Ash also mentioned that the Turkish central bank might face difficulties.
Bloomberg wrote that the Turkish market showed signs of stabilizing on Thursday. It added that political turmoil was a reminder of the risks involved in investing in Turkey.
★ Ali Koç, Koç Holding Deputy Chairman of the Board and Ford Otosan's Chairman of the Board, answered Bloomberg HT's questions.
Koç said they have reached 95 percent of their 2021-2026 investment commitment in the automotive sector.
Koç said, "We made Turkey's first fully electric vehicle. We made Ford's two fully electric vehicles in Europe.
"The capacity of our Yeniköy Factory has increased four times. It came from 110 thousand to 405 thousand.
"We have become Ford's electric vehicle production center in Europe. We were already like that in commercial vehicles. Therefore, we have become this as a natural extension.
"In fact, there are very few or no places like us that produce internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric in the same facility," he said.
Koç Holding is the largest industrial conglomerate in Turkey and the only Turkish company listed on the Fortune Global 500 as of 2023. The group comprises 113 companies, with 124,000 employees, 14,000 dealers, agencies, and after-sales service staff.
Its products span energy, automotive, consumer durables, finance, retail, construction, tourism, shipping, defense, information technology, investment, and food.
In 2023, its revenue was 67.5 billion dollars.
Koç said they have reached 95 percent of their 2021-2026 investment commitment in the automotive sector.
Koç said, "We made Turkey's first fully electric vehicle. We made Ford's two fully electric vehicles in Europe.
"The capacity of our Yeniköy Factory has increased four times. It came from 110 thousand to 405 thousand.
"We have become Ford's electric vehicle production center in Europe. We were already like that in commercial vehicles. Therefore, we have become this as a natural extension.
"In fact, there are very few or no places like us that produce internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric in the same facility," he said.
Koç Holding is the largest industrial conglomerate in Turkey and the only Turkish company listed on the Fortune Global 500 as of 2023. The group comprises 113 companies, with 124,000 employees, 14,000 dealers, agencies, and after-sales service staff.
Its products span energy, automotive, consumer durables, finance, retail, construction, tourism, shipping, defense, information technology, investment, and food.
In 2023, its revenue was 67.5 billion dollars.
ARTS AND CULTURE
★ On March 19, Istanbul-based Turkish artist Banu Cennetoğlu started her first solo exhibition, "Being Safe Is Scary," in Denmark at Kunsthal Charlottenborg.
The exhibition moves from societal issues to more intimate spheres. A critical investigation of the daily press, the migration flows through Europe, and the UN Declaration of Human Rights is brought to dialogue with an extensive private image archive, connecting small and large events of everyday life with urgent global issues.
Her practice often involves extensive collecting, cataloging, and archiving of materials for later presentation in carefully composed works with wide-reaching perspectives.
Banu Cennetoğlu was born in 1970 in Ankara, the Turkish capital, and exhibited at prestigious international shows, including Documenta 14, the Liverpool Biennial, the Gwangju Biennial, the Istanbul Biennial, and the Berlin Biennial.
She represented Turkey alongside Ahmet Öğüt at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009.
The exhibition will be through August 10.
The exhibition moves from societal issues to more intimate spheres. A critical investigation of the daily press, the migration flows through Europe, and the UN Declaration of Human Rights is brought to dialogue with an extensive private image archive, connecting small and large events of everyday life with urgent global issues.
Her practice often involves extensive collecting, cataloging, and archiving of materials for later presentation in carefully composed works with wide-reaching perspectives.
Banu Cennetoğlu was born in 1970 in Ankara, the Turkish capital, and exhibited at prestigious international shows, including Documenta 14, the Liverpool Biennial, the Gwangju Biennial, the Istanbul Biennial, and the Berlin Biennial.
She represented Turkey alongside Ahmet Öğüt at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009.
The exhibition will be through August 10.
★ Ankara, the capital city where Turkey's first polyphonic music movement began, is preparing for a month of music.
The 39th International Ankara Music Festival will bring together nearly 250 artists and groups to perform classical music, modern dance, flamenco, and jazz with the people of Ankara.
On April 4, the festival will start with a concert in memory of Cenap And with the Ankara Festival Orchestra and famous cellist Benedict Kloeckner under the direction of conductor Orhun Orhon.
The festival will feature names such as the Dutch Orochi Ensemble, the British dance group Akram Khan Company, the flamenco show "Woman by Aaron Vivancos," the pianist Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva duo, the Orkestra Akademik Başkent, and conductor Tolga Atalay Ün.
In addition, leading names in the jazz world, Piero Odorici and Roberto Rossi Quintet, Grammy award-winning Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa, the Skampa Quartet from the Czech Republic, the Metallon Brass Ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra and the Semplice Quartet from Türkiye are among the prominent guests of the festival.
The closing concert of the festival will be performed on the evening of April 30 in memory of Mehmet Başman by pianist Salih Can Gevrek and the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra Evgeny Svetlanov, conducted by Marius Stravinsky.
The 39th International Ankara Music Festival will bring together nearly 250 artists and groups to perform classical music, modern dance, flamenco, and jazz with the people of Ankara.
On April 4, the festival will start with a concert in memory of Cenap And with the Ankara Festival Orchestra and famous cellist Benedict Kloeckner under the direction of conductor Orhun Orhon.
The festival will feature names such as the Dutch Orochi Ensemble, the British dance group Akram Khan Company, the flamenco show "Woman by Aaron Vivancos," the pianist Charles Owen and Katya Apekisheva duo, the Orkestra Akademik Başkent, and conductor Tolga Atalay Ün.
In addition, leading names in the jazz world, Piero Odorici and Roberto Rossi Quintet, Grammy award-winning Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa, the Skampa Quartet from the Czech Republic, the Metallon Brass Ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra and the Semplice Quartet from Türkiye are among the prominent guests of the festival.
The closing concert of the festival will be performed on the evening of April 30 in memory of Mehmet Başman by pianist Salih Can Gevrek and the Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra Evgeny Svetlanov, conducted by Marius Stravinsky.
★ The exhibition "Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place" has opened for visitors at the world-famous
Coliseum in Rome, Italy.
The exhibition features exact stone replicas of three artifacts from Göbeklitepe, one of the world's most significant archaeological discoveries, along with shortened versions of films shown at the Göbeklitepe Welcome Center with Italian subtitles, October 24, 2024.
The exhibition, "Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place," has attracted an astonishing 5 million visitors, according to Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
The exhibition features exact stone replicas of three artifacts from Göbeklitepe, one of the world's most significant archaeological discoveries, along with shortened versions of films shown at the Göbeklitepe Welcome Center with Italian subtitles, October 24, 2024.
The exhibition, "Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place," has attracted an astonishing 5 million visitors, according to Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
★ Archaeological studies in Selinus ancient city, located on a hill extending into the sea southwest of Haci Musa Stream in
Gazipaşa, Antalya, will begin on a large scale in September, according to Associate Professor Tuna Akcay from Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University.
Selinus was inhabited during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, making it one of the most significant sites in the rugged Cilicia region.
The city holds historical importance since the Roman Emperor Trajan died there in 117 CE after falling ill during his return from a military campaign. Because of this, some called the city also Trajanopolis.
The ancient city features a rich collection of Roman structures, including a medieval fortress, agora, grand and small baths, Şekerhane, candy making, Pavilion, and monumental tombs.
The acropolis contains a church and a cistern that has survived through the ages.
Other notable remains along the coast and slopes include additional baths, agoras, a Seljuk pavilion, an aqueduct, and a necropolis.
The numerous ostotheks housed in the Alanya Archaeology Museum, originally from the Selinus necropolis, also suggest the presence of an ancient workshop.
Selinus was inhabited during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, making it one of the most significant sites in the rugged Cilicia region.
The city holds historical importance since the Roman Emperor Trajan died there in 117 CE after falling ill during his return from a military campaign. Because of this, some called the city also Trajanopolis.
The ancient city features a rich collection of Roman structures, including a medieval fortress, agora, grand and small baths, Şekerhane, candy making, Pavilion, and monumental tombs.
The acropolis contains a church and a cistern that has survived through the ages.
Other notable remains along the coast and slopes include additional baths, agoras, a Seljuk pavilion, an aqueduct, and a necropolis.
The numerous ostotheks housed in the Alanya Archaeology Museum, originally from the Selinus necropolis, also suggest the presence of an ancient workshop.
★ One of the most significant Neolithic settlements in Türkiye, Karahantepe, is preparing to welcome visitors this year with a structured tour route.
Discovered during surface surveys in 2017, Karahantepe is located in Sanliurfa's Tek Tek Mountains National Park, approximately 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) from the city center.
The site contains T-shaped monolithic pillars dating back to the Neolithic period (10,000–6,000 B.C.), similar to those found at the world-renowned Göbeklitepe.
Excavations led by Prof. Necmi Karul began in 2019, uncovering monumental structures, statues, and numerous artifacts that have drawn international attention, reinforcing the region's significance in early human history.
A shelter project is underway to protect the unearthed artifacts displayed on-site and create a structured tour route, allowing visitors to explore the site safely and comprehensively.
Read more >> here <<
Discovered during surface surveys in 2017, Karahantepe is located in Sanliurfa's Tek Tek Mountains National Park, approximately 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) from the city center.
The site contains T-shaped monolithic pillars dating back to the Neolithic period (10,000–6,000 B.C.), similar to those found at the world-renowned Göbeklitepe.
Excavations led by Prof. Necmi Karul began in 2019, uncovering monumental structures, statues, and numerous artifacts that have drawn international attention, reinforcing the region's significance in early human history.
A shelter project is underway to protect the unearthed artifacts displayed on-site and create a structured tour route, allowing visitors to explore the site safely and comprehensively.
Read more >> here <<
★ A 3,500-year-old linen fabric, discovered by archaeologists in 1995 within the ruins of Sapinuwa, is now on display at a museum in Çorum, a central Anatolian city in Turkey.
Sapinuwa is an ancient Hittite city about 45 miles east of Hattusa, the capital of the Hittites. A local farmer's discovery of two clay cuneiform tablets in his field revealed the Sapinuwa ruins, leading to archaeological work that began in 1989.
Sapinuwa is an ancient Hittite city about 45 miles east of Hattusa, the capital of the Hittites. A local farmer's discovery of two clay cuneiform tablets in his field revealed the Sapinuwa ruins, leading to archaeological work that began in 1989.
Copyright by Dick Osseman. Published with his permission.
★ Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Assos, situated in Behramkale village in Turkey's Çanakkale province in the northwestern part of the country, revealed a remarkable 2,200-year-old mosaic alongside an impressive 1,800-year-old monumental tomb.
Excavations at Assos started in 1881 by the Archaeology Institute of America under J. T. Clarke's leadership and his assistants F.H. Bacon and R. Koldewey and continued for two years.
After a hiatus of 100 years, a Turkish-led team started excavating there again in 1981.
In 2006, excavations restarted again under the direction of Dr. Neurettin Arslan from the nearby Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.
Colonists from Lesbos island established the city from 1000 to 900 BCE. Aristotle once lived there until Persians ransacked the city in 345 BCE. In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great liberated Assos from Persian rule.
Excavations at Assos started in 1881 by the Archaeology Institute of America under J. T. Clarke's leadership and his assistants F.H. Bacon and R. Koldewey and continued for two years.
After a hiatus of 100 years, a Turkish-led team started excavating there again in 1981.
In 2006, excavations restarted again under the direction of Dr. Neurettin Arslan from the nearby Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.
Colonists from Lesbos island established the city from 1000 to 900 BCE. Aristotle once lived there until Persians ransacked the city in 345 BCE. In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great liberated Assos from Persian rule.
EXCHANGE RATE
One U. S. dollar will get you 37.79 Turkish liras.
WEATHER
Ankara, in central Turkey : 61/32 Partly Cloudy Antalya, on the Mediterranean : 64/48 Partly Cloudy Erzurum, in Eastern Turkey : 32/18 Partly Cloudy Istanbul, in northwestern Turkey : 63/41 Partly Cloudy Izmir, on the Aegean : 72/46 Partly Cloudy Trabzon, on the Black Sea : 52/39 Snow
SPORTS
Premier League
* Results for week: 27 (March 14-16)
G. Saray - Antalya 4 - 0 G. Antep - Kayseri 1 - 0 Kasımpaşa - Alanya 2 - 1 Konya - Beşiktaş 1 - 0 Başakşehir - Trabzon 0 - 3 Fenerbahçe - Samsun 0 - 0 Göztepe - Eyüp 1 - 1 Hatay - Sivas 3 - 2 Rize - Bodrum 0 - 2* No games this weekend due to national team's matches.
* Standing in the league as of week
1 - G. Saray 71 2 - Fenerbahçe 62 3 - Samsun 51 4 - Beşiktaş 44 5 - Eyüp 44 6 - G. Antep 38 7 - Göztepe 37 8 - Başakşehir 36 9 - Trabzon 35 10 - Kasımpaşa 35 11 - Rize 33 12 - Antalya 33 13 - Konya 31 14 - Alanya 31 15 - Bodrum 30 16 - Sivas 27 17 - Kayseri 27 18 - Hatay 19 19 - Adana -2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
[Saat 14:30 and 15:30 'da iki kez okuyun]
*** Turkish American Association of California
is a non-profit
charitable organization established to promote better
understanding between Americans and Turks.
if you have any questions about Turks and Turkey,
e-mail them at taac@taaca.org
*** Azerbaijan Cultural Society of Northern California
Organizes many events throughout the year. Follow their activities through
their web pages, or subscribe to their e-mail list by sending an email to:
secretary@acsnc.org
acsnc.org/
Location:
secretary@acsnc.org
acsnc.org/
Location:
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16400 Lark Ave., Suite 260
Los Gatos, CA 95032
16400 Lark Ave., Suite 260
Los Gatos, CA 95032
*** Turkish schools in the Bay Area are starting:
There are currently three schools:
Los Altos, San Ramon and Berkeley
For more information on these schools, drop an email to trh@turkradio.us.
HELLO THERE!
Our online school is starting in September. There are some innovations in our new term program, which we will start in September 2022.
We have prepared more enjoyable posts with your happy feedbacks from you.
> By the principles of language learning; listening, speaking, reading, writing activities
> Kitchen Workshop
> Anatolian Civilizations
> Interactive Games
> Periodic Projects
> Skill Workshops
> Our Holidays
> Bodily Activities
> Traditional Music
> About This Day
Los Altos, San Ramon and Berkeley
For more information on these schools, drop an email to trh@turkradio.us.
HELLO THERE!
Our online school is starting in September. There are some innovations in our new term program, which we will start in September 2022.
We have prepared more enjoyable posts with your happy feedbacks from you.
> By the principles of language learning; listening, speaking, reading, writing activities
> Kitchen Workshop
> Anatolian Civilizations
> Interactive Games
> Periodic Projects
> Skill Workshops
> Our Holidays
> Bodily Activities
> Traditional Music
> About This Day
*** Turkish Folk Dancing with TUFOD in the South Bay
Join TUFOD as a family! For more information on the venue and hours drop us
an email, we'll put you in touch with them:
trh@turkradio.us
Or visit their web pages at https://www.tufod.org/
Or visit their web pages at https://www.tufod.org/
*** Heart to Heart Anatolia
Providing scholarships and bringing people together while promoting Anatolian cultural values
Visit their pages at h2ha.org/
Visit their pages at h2ha.org/
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