The General Directorate of Security detained a total of 170 people in 12 provinces following Nowruz celebrations on March 24, 2026. The police announced that 72 people were detained between March 17 and 22, and 98 people were detained on March 24, on charges of “terrorist propaganda” and “violation of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated in a statement following the detentions that they had intervened against provocations. The Nowruz celebrations took place with widespread participation, particularly in Istanbul and Diyarbakır.
March 24, 2026
BBC News Turkish