Turkish authorities are escalating a yearslong crackdown against perceived critics in the run-up to this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, in a show of intolerance toward dissent.

Police detained Turkish journalists Buse Sogutlu and Ceren Erdogdu over the weekend, along with dozens of academics and lawyers. Istanbul’s chief prosecutor’s office said the detentions were part of an operation against a banned leftist group.

Comedian Deniz Goktas, whose recent stand-up special drew 11 million views on YouTube, was arrested last week on allegations including insulting the president. He denies the allegations and has been sent to a high-security prison.

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