The public prosecutor’s office in Istanbul has announced the launching of an investigation into the campaign to boycott companies started by the main party of the opposition in Turkey, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), following the protests in Turkey over the arrest and imprisonment of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Turkish media sources have confirmed that the Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the Republic in Istanbul has opened an investigation into calls for a boycott of companies, including both a list of companies to be boycotted released by the CHP party – to which İmamoğlu belongs – which includes prominent media outlets, but also a campaign that has been launched on social networks for 2 April in which consumers are asked not to make any purchases
In a statement released today, the prosecutor’s office said that the ‘divisive rhetoric’ in the media and on social networks aimed at hampering economic activity constitutes crimes of ‘hate and discrimination’ and ‘incitement to hatred and hostility’. Local media reported that this new investigation could be linked to the one already opened into attacks on the premises of certain businesses and companies by CHP supporters.
Just yesterday, CHP president Özgür Özel called on social media not to make any purchases on 2 April in protest at İmamoğlu’s imprisonment and the arrest of some 300 students during the protests of recent days. ‘Stop all purchases! Supermarkets, online shops, restaurants, petrol stations, cafés, bills… Don’t pay anything,’ said the leader of the Turkish opposition, whose party has also drawn up a list of companies it accuses of supporting the government.
Government condemns boycott
Criticism from the executive of boycott campaigns has not been long in coming; Trade Minister Ömer Bolat referred to them as ‘economic sabotage’, warning that businesses that suffer damage as a result will be able to claim economic damages in court. Bolat, who posted photos of himself shopping on social media on 2 April, called on citizens to ignore such campaigns and continue to help the country’s economy: ‘Let’s show that trade is flourishing in Turkey,’ he stressed.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also accused the main Turkish opposition party of ‘undermining the economic independence of Turkey’, while Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç described the campaign to boycott companies as an ‘attempt to lynch the country’s capital’, which is ‘irresponsible’ and ‘clearly illegal’: ‘No one in a state governed by the rule of law can classify brands, companies and consumers according to their ideological line… This is why the CHP has been unable to govern for years. Attempting to create problems in the country based on a judicial investigation and sowing terror in the streets, is not legal’.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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