Ankara bans rallies and drone launches ahead of NATO summit
In Ankara, enhanced security measures have been introduced ahead of the 36th NATO summit, reports the Turkish portal Haber Global.
From June 28 to July 10, gatherings, demonstrations, press conferences, rallies, installation of stands and tents, and distribution of leaflets and banners will be banned in the Turkish capital. In addition, a ban will be in effect on launching drones without permission from the authorities.
According to a statement from the office of the governor of Ankara province, security measures will be strengthened in the areas where the summit will be held, at delegation accommodations, and along transit routes. Unauthorized entry into these zones will also be prohibited.
As Haber Global reports, a major counterterrorism operation was carried out in Turkey in parallel with preparations for the event. According to authorities, the court issued arrest warrants for 241 people suspected of involvement with terrorist organizations. According to the latest data, 209 people have been detained.
Among those detained are 30 suspected members of the ISIS group, 23 supporters of the radical left organization DHKP-C, 22 members of the banned communist group TKP/ML, as well as representatives of other organizations whose activities are prohibited in Turkey. The operations were conducted under the coordination of the prosecutor's office with the participation of the police. The search for the remaining suspects continues.
The 36th NATO summit will be held in Ankara on July 7-8. This will be the second meeting of alliance leaders on Turkish territory after the summit in Istanbul in 2004.
