In March 2025, The Guardian reported that Turkish opposition leader, Özgür Özel, has called for a boycott of companies “perceived to be close” to President Erdoğan.

The call to boycott these companies follows the detention of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, which has sparked widespread anti-government protests. Protests have been “swarmed by police”, with 1,900 people detained in 12 days since İmamoğlu’s detention, with allegations student leaders have been targeted for arrest.

In particular, opposition party the Republican People’s party has called for boycotts of Turkish conglomerate Doğuş Group, alongside coffee chain Espressolab and other companies. Doğuş Group owns “pro-government” NTV channel alongside a portfolio of pro-government media outlets. Özel has also called on Turkish companies not to advertise on pro-government media channels that have broadcast limited news of the protests.

In April, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Doğuş Group and Espressolab to respond to the article. Espressolab’s response can be read in full below. Doğuş Group did not respond.