Arrested over Akın Gürlek report: A letter from imprisoned journalist Furkan Karabay

10Haber reporter Furkan Karabay, who was arrested due to his reporting on the trustee appointed to the Esenyurt Municipality, wrote a letter on the third day of his detention at Silivri Prison (officially known as the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution). In his letter, where he described the difficulties of his first days in prison, Karabay noted that because he entered the prison on a Saturday, he was unable to shop at the canteen or obtain books over the weekend.

'THE FIRST DAYS ARE TOUGHER'

Karabay also shared that before he was transferred, the chief commissioner did not allow his lawyer, who is also his older brother Harun Karabay, to bring him the clothes he had prepared. He stated that this difficulty was partially alleviated, saying, "Fortunately, my clothes arrived yesterday, and on the fourth day, I was able to clean up."

'SILIVRI'S BAD REPUTATION IS NOT ITS NAME, BUT THE DECISIONS MADE'

Karabay noted that one of the prison staff members told him, "Welcome back, Furkan," pointing out that most of the newly arrived inmates were there for the second or third time. Highlighting that Silivri Prison is an institution that particularly houses political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and victims of frame-ups, Karabay recalled that the name of the prison was changed to the Marmara Closed Penal Execution Institution some time ago due to the bad reputation associated with the name "Silivri." However, Karabay emphasized that the problem lies not in the name but in the practices, stating, "In reality, what needed to be changed was not the name, but those who made the decisions that created this bad reputation. Because as long as things do not change, this prison will always be known as 'Silivri'."

WHY WAS FURKAN KARABAY ARRESTED?

10Haber reporter Furkan Karabay was detained due to his social media posts regarding the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer and the appointment of a trustee.

Karabay was arrested on the grounds that he reported on the critical cases previously overseen by Akın Gürlek, who is handling the case of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer.