Message from Aykut Erdoğdu from prison! 'We do not deserve this oppression'

Former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, who is currently detained at Marmara Prison in Silivri, directed harsh criticisms at the political and economic situation in Turkey in a post shared on his social media account. The post included the following statements:

"My dear nation, I feel that we are all overwhelmed by the environment of political pressure created by the severe economic crisis we have experienced in recent years, combined with detentions and arrests. As if this heavy atmosphere were not enough, the destructive wars happening around our country have made the already deteriorating atmosphere impossible to breathe in. Our hopes for the future have diminished.

Yet, we do not deserve any of this. Our state said 'pay taxes,' and we paid; it said 'obey the rules,' and we obeyed; it said 'go to the military,' and we went; it said 'fight,' and we fought; it said 'give your life,' and we gave our lives when necessary; we became martyrs, we remained veterans. Why did we do all this? We endured all these sacrifices so that those who govern our state would ensure our happiness, peace, security, and prosperity.

'NOT ONLY THOSE WHO SPEAK, BUT EVEN THOSE WHO THINK ARE IMPRISONED'

Today, even the officials of our state have become afraid and wary of the handful of people who govern our state, and they have become unable to perform their duties with impartiality and independence. Our soldiers are being arrested, jailed, or dismissed from their profession just for showing respect and loyalty to our founder. When judges make decisions with justice, they are exiled; our doctors are beaten, our lawyers are arrested, and our civil servants and workers are left to suffer in hunger and misery. Mayors, members of parliament, bureaucrats, journalists, lawyers… Everyone is imprisoned. Not only those who speak, but even those who think are imprisoned. Fathers are not enough; sons and spouses are also imprisoned.

The great Turkish nation does not deserve this oppression. This self-sacrificing nation deserves to live happily, peacefully, and healthily in a fair, democratic, and free country. All of our ancestors fought on seven fronts and gave their lives to leave us this beautiful homeland. We have become exiles in our own homeland and pariahs in our motherland.

Our country's economy is blocked. We cannot produce enough for all of us. When we do produce, a handful of minorities along with foreign companies take it from our hands. The nation is ruined and exhausted in poverty and destitution. While our nation is suffocated by pressure and writhing in hunger, they hit us over the head saying, 'We have a world leader, be grateful.' We are humiliated by being told, 'We don't have bread, but we have planes, don't be treacherous.'

We do not deserve this humiliation, this exclusion, this demonization. When we take to the streets to seek our rights, we are choked with tear gas, beaten with batons, detained, and arrested. We are afraid of the police who are supposed to protect us, and we cannot trust the judges and prosecutors.

Our national capital, along with our brightest minds, is migrating abroad. They are trying to force us to accept that our right to vote has no meaning and that elections are meaningless. If this country were under occupation, we would know the enemy and fight to the death. Those who do this to us are the children of this land. We are still enduring all this pain so that the homeland is not divided, the nation is not scattered, and the state does not collapse.

However, we have no strength left to endure. This situation is unsustainable. All I know is that the great Turkish nation will not be a slave to anyone, any office, or any group. May God grant us a good outcome. I hope we can overcome these dark days within the framework of law and democracy. For my part, I made my decision long ago and I am paying the price."

News Source: 12punto