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Taha al-Ghazi, a Syrian human rights activist known for his work on refugee rights in Türkiye, was arrested in Istanbul on May 16.
According to Turkish news website Serbestiyet, the police did not provide any information to al-Ghazi or his family about where he was being taken.
Short after his arrest, al-Ghazi briefly turned on his phone and sent a WhatsApp message stating that he had been informed that he is being taken away due to G-207 administrative restriction code (involvement in provocative activities.)
Taha al-Ghazi fled Syria due to the oppression of the Assad regime and sought refuge in Türkiye. He has been actively working as a member of the Platform for Refugee Rights, advocating for the rights of refugees and raising public awareness in Türkiye. While living in Syria, he was imprisoned in the infamous Sednaya Prison.
In 2024, his Turkish citizenship was revoked. Following this decision, Al-Ghazi initiated legal proceedings in an effort to regain his citizenship. He has stated that he has no intention of leaving Türkiye despite the decision.
In a statement by the Platform for Refugee Rights, the organization said:
"The manner in which Taha al-Ghazi was taken, the lack of information about the reasons for his detention, and the absence of any communication with his wife regarding his whereabouts—coupled with no explanation from Istanbul’s police units—have left his family and friends in a state of deep concern. Elgazi is well known among migrants and rights-based NGOs in Türkiye and his situation is significant in terms of ongoing efforts toward social cohesion."
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