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Turkey Detains European Observers Investigating Conditions of Political Prisoners

Published February 20, 2026, 12:11
Turkey Detains European Observers Investigating Conditions of Political Prisoners

Six European human rights advocates were arrested in Istanbul while investigating the conditions of political prisoners in Turkey. The detainees, from Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, and Russia, had met with the People's Rights Office, which Turkish authorities link to the terrorist organization DHKP/C. Police informed them they were arrested for deportation and confiscated their passports. According to the People's Rights Office, the observation mission aimed to investigate the so-called “pit” system in prisons, where prisoners are deprived of daylight and subjected to strict isolation. This practice is condemned by human rights organizations for its impact on the mental and physical health of inmates.