Reform Institute President detained: Who is Mehmet Ali Çalışkan? Why was he detained?

While 91 people were detained as part of the IMM investigation, an arrest warrant had been issued for Mehmet Ali Çalışkan, but he could not be apprehended at the time. Reform Institute Director Mehmet Ali Çalışkan has been detained as part of an investigation launched on allegations of 'aiding a terrorist organization.' So, who is Mehmet Ali Çalışkan and why was he detained as the Director of the Reform Institute?

WHO IS MEHMET ALİ ÇALIŞKAN?

He completed his undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Middle East Technical University, and his master's degree in the Sociology department of the same university. He was among the founders of organizations such as the Foundation for Life (YADA), which conducts research in the field of civil society, ADHOC Ltd., which carries out studies on the sociology of reputation, and the Center for Social Impact Research (TEAM A.Ş.), which conducts voter monitoring research. He has participated in research and impact analysis projects for international organizations, the private sector, and political parties.

WHY WAS MEHMET ALİ ÇALIŞKAN DETAINED?

The investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against 7 suspects, including IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu, IMM Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, and Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, on charges of "aiding the PKK/KCK terrorist organization" is ongoing.

As a result of the work carried out within the scope of the investigation, one of the suspects, Mehmet Ali Çalışkan, was detained in Istanbul. It was determined that Çalışkan did not have his mobile phone with him during the detention. Çalışkan was transferred to the Istanbul Police Department's Vatan Campus for processing.

News Source: 12punto