THE leader of one of Turkey’s largest trade unions was detained for the second time in two days today for charges of “violating the freedom to work” amid the country’s crackdown on industrial action.

Birtek-Sen general secretary Mehmet Turkmen was first detained on Friday in the city of Gaziantep after leaving his home following a complaint from the employer of Sireci Textile, the owner of several factories facing union-led protests over low wages.

During his interrogation, Mr Turkmen was questioned about his social media posts.