Turkish Police Seek to Prevent Being Filmed at Protests

Policeman in a road in Turkey, whose police officers have been instructed to prevent citizens from filming them during demonstrations, said a prominent lawyers group on Friday. (AP)
Policeman in a road in Turkey, whose police officers have been instructed to prevent citizens from filming them during demonstrations, said a prominent lawyers group on Friday. (AP)
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Turkish Police Seek to Prevent Being Filmed at Protests

Policeman in a road in Turkey, whose police officers have been instructed to prevent citizens from filming them during demonstrations, said a prominent lawyers group on Friday. (AP)
Policeman in a road in Turkey, whose police officers have been instructed to prevent citizens from filming them during demonstrations, said a prominent lawyers group on Friday. (AP)

Turkish police have been instructed to prevent citizens from filming them while policing demonstrations, a prominent lawyers group has said, sparking criticism and fears the move could lead to increased human rights’ violations.

The Progressive Lawyers Association posted on its Twitter account a document purporting to be a security department circular.

The document, dated April 27 and signed by national police chief Mehmet Aktas, argues that the filming of police officials amounts to a violation of their right to privacy and prevents them from carrying out their duties.

It then instructs officers to prevent people from using their cellphones to record or film police during demonstrations, and calls on them to “take legal action” if needed, The Associated Press reported.

There was no official confirmation of the instruction to police, which was also reported by several media outlets.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, said Friday that the move could lead to increased police brutality and amounted to “authoritarianism at its finest.”

“They will do whatever they want, bully as they please,” said CHP spokesman Faik Oztrak.

“They will step on the people with their knees placed on their heads, but people will not be able to shoot this with their cellphones.”

He was referring to an image showing a Turkish police officer placing his knee on the back of a protester who was lying face down on the ground during an early May Day protest in the city of Izmir.

The image was compared to those showing the arrest of George Floyd, whose death in the United States last year caused widespread protests and international condemnation.



Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
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Amid Gaza War, Israel Defense Exports Jump 13% in 2024 to Record $15 bln

A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo
A remote controlled machine gun is attached to an Israeli military vehicle during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo

Israel's defense exports rose 13% in 2024 to a record of nearly $15 billion, led by missiles, rockets and air-defense systems with over half the deliveries going to European militaries, the government said on Wednesday.

Military exports, the Defense Ministry said in a statement, have more than doubled over the past five years, reaching nearly $15 billion in value in 2024.

The ministry said that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's defense industries have operated in emergency mode with round-the-clock arms production while also maintaining manufacturing for foreign clients.

"The new record in Israeli defense exports, achieved during a year of war, reflects more than anything else the growing global appreciation for Israeli technology’s proven capabilities," said Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram, Reuters reported.

"Israeli systems have resonated throughout the Middle East this past year. More nations want to protect their citizens using Israeli defense equipment."

The ministry said there was significant growth in contracts from Europe last year, where exports accounted for 54% of the total, up from 36% in 2023. Asia-Pacific was next at 23% with the United States at 9%.

Missile, rocket and air defense systems comprised 48% of defence exports, followed by vehicles and armoured personnel carriers at 9%, and satellites and space systems, radar and electronic warfare, manned aircraft and avionics at 8% each.

Some 57% of contracts amounted to more than $100 million.