Ankara, July 5 (IANS) Turkish police detained 46 suspects in the capital Ankara as part of a security operation ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Summit scheduled for July 7-8, according to Turkish media on Sunday.

Turkish media outlet Haberturk reported that the operation was coordinated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the participation of the Ankara Police Department’s public security branch and other police units.

According to the report, the suspects were identified through technical and physical surveillance. They were accused of posting images featuring firearms on social media, had extensive criminal records, and were allegedly involved in various firearms-related incidents.

Police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple addresses across the city and seized evidence related to alleged criminal activities. The suspects remain in custody while legal procedures continue, the report said.

It added that the operation forms part of broader security measures across Ankara ahead of the NATO Summit. Police have intensified inspections and expanded security perimeters around summit venues, with officers deployed around the clock at designated locations, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkish authorities said that all necessary judicial, administrative, and security measures had been put in place to ensure public order and security before and during the summit, with inspections and security operations to continue.

The NATO heads of state and government summit, scheduled for July 7-8, will bring together leaders from the alliance’s 32 member states, along with thousands of delegates, security personnel, journalists and support staff, making it one of the largest international events ever hosted by Ankara.

Authorities have announced extraordinary security arrangements extending beyond the two-day summit itself. A total of 70,000 security personnel will be deployed during the summit, according to semi-official Anadolu Agency.

The Ankara governor’s office has banned all meetings, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies and similar activities from June 28 until July 10. Public events, including concerts, festivals and large gatherings, have also been restricted, while extensive traffic controls are expected around summit venues, hotels hosting delegations and key transportation routes.

–IANS

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