Turkish police have detained a group of miners, with Başaran Aksu reported to be among those taken into custody, according to Cumhuriyet. The detentions occurred on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in connection with ongoing labor action.
Cumhuriyet reports that the arrests took place as part of a broader operation targeting workers involved in protest activities. The specific charges against the detained miners have not been detailed in the initial reporting.
The detentions follow a period of heightened tension around the miners' protest. According to Diken, a presidential chief adviser had criticized SSS Holding, the company at the center of the dispute, just hours before the miners were taken into custody. That public rebuke was followed quickly by the police action against the workers.
The protest has drawn attention from political figures. Habertürk reported that Özel, the leader of the New Party (Yeni Parti), visited the striking miners to show support. Separately, Evrensel reported that EMEP leader Aslan also visited the workers, calling on miners from different unions to unite their struggle.
The situation remains fluid, with the miners' legal status unclear following the detentions. The involvement of senior political figures and the timing of the arrests suggest this labor dispute has become a significant flashpoint.
What to watch next: whether the detained miners face formal charges and how the political visits influence the trajectory of the protest.
