In today's world, 2025 in Turkey is a topic that has captured the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds. Since its appearance, 2025 in Turkey has generated great interest and debate, becoming a recurring topic of conversation in society. Whether due to its impact on popular culture, its relevance in history, or its influence in the scientific field, 2025 in Turkey has managed to transcend barriers and stand out as a topic of relevance for various sectors. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the phenomenon of 2025 in Turkey and analyze its meaning and implications today.
13 January – Riza Akpolat, the CHP mayor of Beşiktaş, Istanbul Province, is arrested as part of an investigation into alleged bid-rigging, bribery and unjust acquisition of property.[1]
16 January – At least 30 people are reported to have died across Istanbul after consuming bootleg alcohol.[2] By 17 February, the death toll reaches 124, with cases also reported in Ankara.[3]
Four people are injured in a gas explosion at a ski resort in Sivas Province.[6]
25 January – Two people are killed in the collapse of an apartment building in Konya.[7]
28 January – Serhan Asker, the chief editor of Halk TV, is detained along with two other journalists after the station airs a phone conversation with a court-appointed expert accused of bias against mayors belonging to the CHP.[8]
29 January – Sofya Alagas, the DEM mayor of Siirt, is removed from her position after a conviction for terrorism offenses connected with accusations of her supporting the PKK.[8]
31 January – Five alumni of the Turkish Military Academy are dismissed along with three other officers from the Turkish Armed Forces for reciting an unauthorized secularist oath at their graduation ceremony in 2024.[9]
February
6 February – Turkey withdraws its accreditation of Afghan diplomats representing the pre-2021 government.[10]
13–18 February – Around 282 people are arrested in nationwide raids in 51 cities on suspicion of having links with the PKK.[12]
19 February – An inflatable dinghy carrying migrants sinks off the coast of Selçuk, killing at least six people.[13]
27 February – PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan issues a message from prison calling for the group to hold a congress dissolving itself and laying down its weapons.[14]
March
1 March – The PKK declares a ceasefire following Abdullah Öcalan's appeal on 27 February.[15]
2 April – Meta Platforms announces that the Turkish government has imposed a "substantial" fine on the company for refusing to limit content on Facebook and Instagram.[19]
3 April – A boat carrying migrants sinks off the coast of Çanakkale Province, killing nine passengers.[20]
17 April – The Interior Ministry announces the arrest of 525 suspected drug dealers across Ankara in what is described as the country's "biggest narcotics operation".[22]
30 April – Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who was arrested while covering the 2025 Turkish protests, is convicted and sentenced to a suspended 11-month prison term by a court in Ankara on charges of insulting President Erdoğan.[26]
15 June – A hot-air balloon crashes near Gözlükuyu, Aksaray, killing the pilot and injuring 19 Indonesian passengers on board.[36]
17 June – Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the Victory Party, is sentenced to two years' imprisonment and insulting President Erdoğan and inciting violence on social media during the 2024 anti-refugee riots in Turkey, but is ordered released by the same court due to time served in pre-trial detention.[37]
28 June – At least 54 people are arrested during attempts by police to prevent the celebration of Istanbul Pride.[38]
29 June – A wildfire breaks out in İzmir Province, leaving one person dead and prompting the evacuation of 50,000 people.[39][40]
30 June – The offices of the satirical magazine Leman is pelted with stones in Istanbul by demonstrators protesting against the publication of cartoons allegedly depicting the Prophet Muhammad.[41]
July
1 July – The former mayor of İzmir, Tunç Soyer, is arrested as part of 120 officials in İzmir Province linked with the CHP on suspicion of corruption.[42]
4 July – A wildfire breaks out in Dörtyol, Hatay Province, prompting the evacuation of 920 homes.[43]
16 July – The CHP mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, is convicted of insulting and threatening Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek and sentenced to one year and eight months' imprisonment.[51]
19 August – A man is arrested after setting his car on fire in front of the Grand National Assembly building in Ankara in protest against vehicle taxation policies.[62]
26 August – Transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu is fined 9,267 Turkish Lira ($225) for posting a video of himself on social media overspeeding along a highway near Ankara.[63]
27 August – Around 1,534 items of merchandise valued at 1.25 billion Turkish liras ($30.5 million) are seized by police during a raid at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul as part of an investigation into diamond smuggling.[64]
29 August – Turkey imposes a trade ban on Israel, closing its ports to Israeli ships and barring aircraft affiliated with government officials and arms shipments from its airspace.[65]
September
2 September – A court annuls the CHP's 2023 Istanbul provincial congress that led to the election of Özgür Çelik as party provincial chair, citing procedural irregularities.[66]
8 September – Two police officers are shot dead by a 16-year old gunman at a police station in Balçova, İzmir Province.[68]
11 September – Around 121 companies belonging to Can Holding, including the private television broadcasters Habertürk TV and Show TV are seized by the state and placed under the control of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund of Turkey as part of an investigation into fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.[69]
13 September – Hasan Mutlu, the CHP mayor of Bayrampaşa, Istanbul Province, is arrested along with 47 other municipal officials amid an investigation into alleged corruption.[71]
18 September – The historic Keyvanlar mansion in Mudurnu, Bolu Province, is destroyed in a fire.[73]
21 September – Özgür Özel is reelected as leader of the CHP following a special congress.[74]
23 September – Thirteen people are arrested as part of an investigation into alleged corruption over concerts organized by the Ankara municipal government.[75]
26 September – Turkish Airlines announces an agreement with Boeing to purchase 225 of the latter's aircraft.[76]
2 October – A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits the Sea of Marmara, injuring 17 people in the Istanbul area.[78]
24 October – A migrant boat sinks off the coast of Bodrum, Muğla Province, killing at least 14 people. Two survivors are rescued.[79]
26 October – The PKK announce their withdrawal from Turkey as part of a disarmament process, following the earlier decision in May to disarm and disband.[80]
12 November — Four members of a Turkish-German family fall ill and subsequently die from suspected pesticide gas poisoning caused by phosphine at a hotel in Fatih, Istanbul.[90]
26 November — Journalist Fatih Altaylı is sentenced to four years' imprisonment on charges of issuing and disseminating threats against President Erdoğan on his YouTube programme.[91]
A court in Istanbul acquits four photojournalists on charges of violating laws on demonstrations and public gatherings during the 2025 Turkish protests in March.[93]
Two tankers believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet are attacked using unspecified weapons and set on fire in the Black Sea.[95]
December
2 December – A Russian-flagged tanker heading to Sinop is attacked by a drone 80 miles from the Turkish Black Sea coast. The ship and crew are unharmed.[96]
8 December – A police officer is killed in a shootout during a drug raid in Çekmeköy, Istanbul.[97]
11 December – Five people are arrested as part of an investigation into the sexual harassment of female interns at the Grand National Assembly in Ankara.[98]