In the name of state security, Erdogan has ordered authorities to interrogate the signatories of the peace petition, and many of the academics have already faced persecution, death threats, and hate speech. Prominent figures and institutions ranging from Turkey’s Prime Minister to the Higher Education Council and state prosecutors have joined Erdogan in condemning the academics. Most disturbingly, in a speech on January 13, Sedat Peker – a crime boss, Erdogan supporter, and Turkish nationalist figure with over 1.43 million Facebook fans – threatened the Academicians for Peace: “We will spill your blood and we will [. . .] shower with your blood!!"

The Criminalization of Critique in Erdogan’s Totalitarian Turkey

See more on