Metin Gurcan, a founding member of a Turkish opposition party, who is also an Al-Monitor contributor, was detained early in the morning on Nov. 26 on charges of "espionage," in a move many believe is politically motivated aimed at intimidating the opposition as part of the Turkish government's increasing campaigns targeting opposition members.
“I am being detained over political espionage charges,” Gurcan, a member of Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), wrote on Twitter during a police raid at his house in Istanbul. “I’m shocked. I’m waiting for your support,” he added.
