President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government banned sales of alcohol during a lockdown that begins Thursday, drawing the ire of opponents who say the Turkish leader is trying to force his Islamic values on the nation of 83 million people.
Alcohol sales at groceries and chain stores will be banned from April 29 until May 17, officials with direct knowledge of the Interior Ministry regulations said. The curbs are in line with existing weekend restrictions and prevent unfair competition against small liquor shops, which as retailers of non-essential goods will be barred from opening during the same period, the officials said, asking not to be identified.
