Farewell message to Volkan Konak from imprisoned Beylikdüzü Mayor Çalık

Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık has bid farewell from Silivri Prison, where he is currently being held, to artist Volkan Konak, who passed away after suffering a heart attack while performing a concert in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Sharing a letter through his lawyers, Çalık included the following words in his message:

'May your path be clear, Son of the North, the brave lad of Maçka... Where have you gone, leaving us behind? We were supposed to see beautiful days together. You left us behind in the midst of injustice. I am left alone with my grief, brother. Your departure has only added salt to the wound. I wish I hadn't turned on the television tonight. I wish I hadn't read that subtitle.

I wish I didn't know how to read or write. Brother, what kind of place did you leave us in? I had seen your social media posts on the screens. I said, "My big-hearted brother is by my side." I immediately started singing one of your songs so you might hear it... In '99, I didn't leave you behind, brother, I fought. Why didn't you fight, brother? Why didn't you fight, my big-hearted brother? Why did you leave us? You have shattered our mountains.

Your Şimal, your little Volkan, and your Derin... You wouldn't have left your beautiful wife Selma, brother. Did they hurt you that much? Was what happened too heavy for your heart to bear? Enough to leave these places and depart? You left me here in this dungeon, between four walls? Son of the North, you burned us and left... You left too soon, lad of Maçka. Are they going to put you in the black earth now? Are they going to cover you with soil? I won't be able to be there when my big-hearted brother is laid to rest. I am so, so sad... When I get out of here, my first task will be to run and visit you. You said, "You be the pen, I'll be the paper, write me." No pen or paper is enough to write about you... You took my courage and left. You took your loves, your red lines and left. You left us your sorrows and departed.

I will never forget you. I will never forget the door you opened for me when I first came to Istanbul. Maçka has lost a brave son. You are now in the lands you loved so much. May your path be clear, my dear brother. May your path be filled with light, Son of the North.'