Turkish police detained 209 people in raids targeting alleged extremist leftist "terrorist" organizations less than two weeks before a NATO summit in Ankara, state news agency Anadolu reported on Tuesday.
Detention warrants were issued for 241 suspects, while local media said those held included trade unionists, lawyers and left-wing activists whose addresses were searched in Ankara and Istanbul.
Among the detainees were Yildiz Tar, editor-in-chief of LGBTI+ rights group Kaos GL, and the leader of the left-wing Devrimci Parti, according to local media, including T24 news website.
Press freedom advocates called for Tar's immediate release.
Ahead of the July 7-8 summit, Turkish authorities have banned demonstrations and public gatherings from June 28 to July 10, as left-wing groups and civil society organizations prepare for anti-NATO protests.
