Turkish authorities arrested more than 52 people on Tuesday, part of an escalating crackdown on Kurdish and other groups opposed to the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Critics say the mass detentions belie the government’s claims that it wants a deal with imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan and are likely linked to Erdogan’s efforts to eliminate potential rivals, stifle dissent and remain in power beyond 2028, when the next presidential elections are due. 

Tuesday’s wave targeted the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), an umbrella group that serves as a bridge between pro-Kurdish, progressive and leftist parties. Prosecutors allege it is linked to Ocalan’s outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) party and smaller leftist parties were among those detained. 

“There’s never been a suggestion until now that the HDK could be categorized in the organigram of the PKK,” said Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey director for Human Rights Watch. “The government is now saying it’s an illegal group.” 

The evidence against municipal council members facing allegations in a wave arrests last week that links to the HDK make them members of the PKK is so far very vague. It includes records of them making telephone calls to other individuals alleged to have ties to the group. “The connection with material evidence is getting ever less,” Sinclair-Webb told Al-Monitor.