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'Prison diary' post from former İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer: The most positive prisoner

A new post has come from Tunç Soyer, who was recently arrested and sent to prison, regarding his days in confinement. The former Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality shared a note on his social media account titled 'prison diary'.

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60 people, including former Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer and CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Şenol Aslanoğlu, have been arrested as part of a corruption investigation into the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. 

After being sent to prison, Soyer shared a new post on his social media account with the note 'prison diary'. 

Here is that post by Tunç Soyer:

"Prison Diary

July 9, 2025

Like every morning, I woke up at 06:00 this morning and did the routine cleaning of the ward and the floor. I took a cold shower. However, I did not go for a run. Because today is a big day...!

At 09:00, for the first time, I will meet with my mother, brother, wife, daughters, and son-in-law during an open visitation.

I wore my smartest shirt and started waiting with excitement.

Exactly at 09:00, the officers arrived, the iron door opened, and we started walking to the meeting hall. Knots grew in my throat; I realized I couldn't swallow. A moment later, they entered through the opposite door. We embraced for a long time in tears. I knew this meeting would be very difficult. At that moment, I felt that difficulty to my bones.

The first sweet shock was them realizing that I had shaved my beard. They said it made me look very young. 5-10 minutes later, I took full control and dispersed that sad atmosphere. As can be seen in the prison photographer's photo, faces began to smile.

Neptün had done something lovely; she had printed photos of our 2 dogs and 2 cats on the t-shirts of the girls, my son-in-law, and herself. Thus, I also satisfied my longing for them. Until exactly 10:00, within 60 minutes, I told them about my daily life, what was on my mind, what was in my heart, and we talked about everything.

Of course, we couldn't get enough, but there were no more tears when we said goodbye.

On the way back to the ward, an officer said; “You are the most positive prisoner I have ever seen.” I couldn't say anything at that moment, but I thought about it a little later.

The reason for this positivity is probably hidden in the answers I gave to 2 questions

1) Why I am here and;

2) What are the things that make me who I am

1) As I wrote in my book “Another World is Possible”, for over 50 years, I have lived by describing myself as a leftist, a social democrat. Like every social democrat in this country, I have lived by paying the price for this in my own way. However, as I saw and knew that there were those like the Deniz’s who paid the price by giving their lives and spending years unjustly in prison or in exile, I thought the prices I paid were light compared to theirs. Now it is my turn...! I am paying the price for my mind and conscience being on the left.

I am sure that the reason I am inside is not “qualified fraud,” and the judge who made the arrest decision must know this too. Because, since they studied “law,” they must have seen that there is not a single witness or a single document in the file for “personal interest and gain,” which is an element of the crime. The reason I am inside is undoubtedly my political ideas and what I have done in line with these ideas to date. “Qualified fraud” is just a cover for this. It is my turn, because as authoritarianism increases, oppression and lawlessness increase. Perhaps as they think they are approaching the end of their rule, their cruelty multiplies. Knowing this, being inside is a medal of honor for the sake of what I believe in and what I know to be right. Therefore, being inside is neither an unexpected nor an incomprehensible situation. My mind is clear, my heart is at peace.

2) The other reason for my inner peace is the answer I gave to the second question. As I wrote in my book again, I do not have a “material addiction” because I have tried to shape my life around “being” rather than “having.” When I say material, I am not referring to drugs, of course. For example, I realized that there is nothing I say “I cannot live without roasted almonds” or “I won't wear it if it's not this brand” or “I won't go to sleep without having a glass in the evening.” This was a very pleasant enlightenment for me. I saw that I had not been a slave to anything. Not being able to do many of my habits did not create sadness or trouble for me. So, if this place was a test regarding those addictions, I passed that test successfully.

In my 66 years of life, I have always pondered on “being.” Therefore, the things that make me who I am are not “materials”; they are my mind, my conscience, and my beliefs. Undoubtedly, it is very sad to lack the presence of my closest family, friends, and comrades while experiencing these. I am especially very sorry for leaving my family alone and for upsetting those who love me and those I love.

But I have a consolation...!

Friedrich Engels said: “Freedom is the recognition of necessity.”

I know that every member of my family, every friend, and every comrade is smart and “free” enough to grasp the “necessary” situation I am in.

My dear friends, know that even if I am inside, I am also free. Know that we will embrace each other with longing again as soon as possible and we will build that bright future together.

Let me end today's diary with a suggestion for those whose turn has not yet come.

Simplify, get rid of “material addiction,” and do not be stingy in showing your love to your friends, family, and loved ones...!

It was a bit long today.

Excuse me.

Stay well...!

İzmir No. 1 F-Type High-Security Penal Execution Institution

Ward B/63"