Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) Party Council member Ahmet Saymadi was detained following a police raid on the night of 3 October at Kadim Meyhane, the tavern he owned in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, and was arrested on 5 October. Saymadi said the social media account “Ankara Kuşu” targeted him and his business after TİP MP Ahmet Şık posted about Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. He said a tip-off was then made alleging that he facilitated drug use at his workplace. Saymadi said police found no criminal evidence during the search and made no adverse findings concerning employees or customers. He said he gave blood, urine and hair samples in custody and announced that he had been arrested under Article 190 of the Turkish Penal Code. Denying the allegations, Saymadi said he opposed drugs and argued that his arrest followed political targeting.
5 October 2026
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