Three weeks before crucial elections, police sparked criticism by detaining more than 150 journalists, politicians, lawyers and activists in an operation covering 21 Turkish cities, allegedly for Kurdish militant links.
At least 126 politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists have been detained in an operation that observers call an intimidation tactic before the May 14 elections.
Opposition politicians say the usurping of municipalities by government appointees has weakened their ability to respond to Turkey's Feb. 6 earthquake disaster.