Mustafa Şentop

Turkish police early on March 21 detained Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), who was staging a protest in parliament, before he was released the same day after giving a statement to the police.

Turkey's parliament speaker on March 13 hit back at baseless, ignorant claims the European Parliament made about Turkey.

"We reject the uninformed, unfounded, and malicious allegations against our country" adopted by the European Parliament's General Assembly on the 10th anniversary of the Syrian conflict, Mustafa Şentop said on Twitter.

Rasim Öztekin, a beloved Turkish television, theater and movie actor, passed away on March 8 at the age of 62.

Öztekin died at an Istanbul hospital following a heart attack on March 7, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Twitter.

"He was a family member in every home with a television," Koca said.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop has informed that the parliament has received summary proceedings against 33 lawmakers, including those from the ranks of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

"A total of 33 summary proceedings were sent to the parliament last night. They include the members of the HDP as well," he told the reporters on Feb. 24.

Turkish writer and psychologist Doğan Cüceloğlu on Feb. 16 was found dead at home in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district.

Cüceloğlu, 83, was well known in Turkey for his personal development books, over 40 published scientific articles, and numerous seminars and conferences.

Former main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Enis Berberoğlu has returned to the Turkish Parliament following last month's Constitutional Court's verdict, which said his rights were violated when convicted and stripped of his immunity.

Turkey's top court has urged that not abiding by its verdicts is a serious violation of the constitution while repeating its call for the retrial of former main opposition lawmaker Enis Berberoğlu in line with their two rulings, which have not been implemented yet.

Turkey extended condolences to Indonesia over Jan. 9's passenger plane crash near the capital Jakarta.

"We have learned with great sorrow that a passenger airplane flying from Jakarta to the city of Pontianak in Indonesia crashed shortly after takeoff today, resulting in the loss of lives of more than 60 people," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Reacting to scenes of supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday storming the Capitol building, Turkey urged all parties in the U.S. to use moderation and common sense.

Turkey's parliament approved a motion early on Dec. 24 announcing 2021 as the year of the Turkish national anthem.