Turkey
Turkish comedian Deniz Göktaş on trial for insulting Erdoğan in show
Göktaş's arrest was the latest in a widening crackdown on anyone seen as critical of Turkey's conservative government or its values, which has netted hundreds of politicians, artists, musicians, journalists and LGBTQ+ activists.
Business
Turkey arrests Tera chairman as $18bn fund scandal widens
Turkish authorities arrested the chairman of Tera Yatirim Menkul Degerler AS on Wednesday morning, the brokerage at the centre of the country's current investment fund scandal, with funds worth more than $18 billion (€15.7bn) and held by over 450,000 people now being liquidated.
Iran
Iran seizes assets of 240 dissidents as protest arrests top 6,000
The judiciary froze 182 bank accounts and confiscated property belonging to journalists, activists and public figures accused of acting in favour of "hostile governments". Tehran has executed at least 532 people since January, including 29 linked to the protests.
Culture news
Turkish comedian arrested for 'insulting' Islam and Erdogan
Turkish comedian Deniz Göktaş was arrested at Istanbul Airport on Thursday following a stand-up show posted to YouTube. The 32-year-old faces multiple probes, including "publicly insulting religious values" and insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.