Azerbaijan bans Turkish opposition leader Erbakan, 30 other public figures
General view of the Flame Towers, one of the architectural symbols of the city that attracts attention with their special lighting as daily life continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on October 06, 2025. (AA Photo)
October 21, 2026 02:20 PM GMT+03:00
Azerbaijan has banned 31 Turkish citizens from entering the country, including New Welfare Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan, pro-Kurdish DEM Party lawmaker Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu and former football referee Ahmet Cakar, according to a list released Wednesday by the country's Foreign Ministry.
In an official statement, the ministry said the individuals had made statements on social media and online platforms "targeting the sovereignty, national security, constitutional order, people and leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan."
The ministry did not identify specific posts or provide details of the allegations against each individual.
It said the entry bans were imposed under Azerbaijani law and that further "appropriate measures" would be considered.
Others named on the list include HUDA PAR Deputy Chairman Yahya Ugras, former Hagia Sophia imam Mehmet Boynukalin, journalists Yusuf Kaplan and Ismail Kilicarslan, and numerous other media figures.
Full list of 31 Turkish citizens banned from entering Azerbaijan
- Ahmet Baris Iyison – Director of Iyison Media and the Gazeteciabi project
- Cem Ozyurt – Blogger
- Akin Duru – TV8 and Acunmedya employee
- Dursun Eker – Journalist
- Adem Ozkose – Journalist and author
- Muhammed Emin Yildirim – Istanbul representative of the Koklu Degisim media group
- Cuneyt Sezer – Sociologist, blogger and political analyst
- Serhat Koyuncu - Public figure
- Mikail Ayyildiz – Religious researcher and author
- Ahi Aratoglu – Researcher, author and sociologist
- Muharrem Cavus – Former head of the AK Party's Bogazici Youth Branch
- Fatih Erbakan – Chairman of the New Welfare Party
- Yahya Ugras – Deputy chairman of HUDA PAR
- Aydin Binboga – Economist and politician
- Hakki Eren – Journalist at Koklu Degisim
- Sait Seyitoglu – HUDA PAR official responsible for financial and administrative affairs in Batman
- Mehmet Boynukalin – Professor at Marmara University's Faculty of Theology and former Hagia Sophia imam
- Okan Aytas – Journalist and owner of Finansopia Media
- Mert Armagan – Journalist
- Yasar Yavuz – Journalist
- Ahmet Sirri Arvas – Poet, journalist and author
- Yusuf Kaplan – Journalist and author
- Erdinc Tegmen – Owner of Erte Media
- Ahmet Cakar – Sports commentator and former football referee
- Halil Atakan Ay – Theologian
- Ismail Kilicarslan – Columnist for TVNET and Yeni Safak
- Murat Sahin – Akit TV program host
- Irfan Kaya Ulger – Akit TV program host
- Fatin Dagistanli – Akit TV program host
- Omer Ulutas – Chairman of the Homeland Party (Toprak Party)
- Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu – Member of Parliament
October 21, 2026 02:20 PM GMT+03:00
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