National Intelligence Organization

Four suspects, including a columnist for daily Bugün, have been arrested as part of an investigation into an alleged terrorist organization.

The 2nd Criminal Magistrate of Peace in Istanbul arrested columnist Gültekin Avc? and three police officers for ?being a member of an armed terror group? on Sept. 20.

Gültekin Avc?, a columnist for daily Bugün, was detained on Sept. 18 in the Aegean province of ?zmir as a part of an investigation into an alleged terrorist organization.

Avc?, also the lawyer of Samanyolu Medya Group chairman Hidayet Karaca, was detained as a part of the Selam Tevhid investigation.

A ?wise persons? committee of elders? will be established at Recep Tayyip Erdo?an?s presidential palace in Ankara, composed of figures aged over 75 years who had in the past held senior posts at public institutions.

An investigation has been opened against Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirta? on charges which include, among others, ?openly insulting the Turkish nation? and ?producing propaganda of a terror organization,? as well as proceedings to lift his immunity, over a recent speech he delivered after HDP buildings were attacked across the country. 

Assignments to most state institutions and organizations have been halted in the run-up to snap elections on Nov. 1, after the formation of an interim government.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmu? has been appointed as the interim government spokesperson after the departure of Bülent Ar?nç from the cabinet last week. 

The Republican People?s Party (CHP) is discussing whether to take action against President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an on charges of ?bribery and forgery? in relation to the huge now-dropped Dec. 17 and 25, 2013 corruption cases, which embroiled four former ministers and their relatives.

Turkey's top national security body will hold its next meeting on Sept. 2 when an interim "election government" is expected to be in charge of the country, which has been shaken by conflict between the security forces and outlawed militants.

Selahattin Demirta?, the co-chairman of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP), is nowadays the focus of a denouncment campaign by Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu?s Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) government.

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has slammed Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirta? over the latter?s claims that a deep state organization directly linked to Erdo?an conducted a suicide bombing attack that killed 32 people in the southeastern district of Suruç on July 20.