Message from Ayşe Barım in prison: 'I want to live'

Renowned talent manager Ayşe Barım was arrested on January 28 and sent to prison as part of an investigation in which she is accused of planning the Gezi Park protests.

SENT A LETTER FROM PRISON

In a letter she wrote from prison, Barım drew attention to her health condition. Stating that she has been experiencing serious health problems in recent months, Barım said, "I have heart-related ailments. I have fainted six times in the last three months."

A PLEA TO "LIVE"

In her letter, Barım emphasized that her greatest demand is for her right to life to be respected. Saying, "I want to live," Barım stated that her health problems should not be ignored.

Here is Barım's letter:

I am Ayşe Barım,

-This letter is not a cry for help, but a cry of conscience. In January 2025, an unreal identity of Ayşe Barım was constructed through an organized smear campaign launched by anonymous accounts on social media. I have been a talent manager for 23 years. I have always done my job with honesty and by adhering to professional principles.

-I was arrested by being associated with the Gezi Park Events that took place 12 years ago, based on baseless and unsubstantiated allegations that have no reality.

-I was faced with an extremely serious accusation years later, based on unreal claims made only on social media, regarding these events for which the investigation was completed years ago and with which I was in no way associated at the time. However, I have nothing to do with these allegations and I have committed no crime. I am innocent...

-In our first appeal, the court ruled for my release under judicial control and for me to be tried without arrest. Following an objection by the prosecution, I was re-arrested, and for 213 days, I have been deprived of my freedom and my right to a healthy life in a cell, without even understanding why all of this is happening to me.

-My illnesses are documented by official reports issued by Silivri State Hospital, İstanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital, and Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital. Throughout this detention process, I am struggling for my life under the risk of sudden death due to 6 separate heart diseases that have progressively worsened, two aneurysms in my brain with stents, and a new, untreated aneurysm that has developed during this process.

-Furthermore, I have lost 30 kilos in an unhealthy and rapid manner, I have developed severe muscle wasting, and my weight loss continues. As each of my illnesses carries the risk of sudden death, my severe anxiety disorder and the panic attacks I experience due to prison conditions increase this risk. In the last 3 months, I have fainted 6 times as a sign that my heart condition is progressing.

Both the Başakşehir Çam and Sakura Hospital report dated July 2, 2025, and the Turkish Medical Association Scientific Committee report dated August 14, 2025, clearly demonstrate that prison conditions and the process are aggravating these illnesses and the state of my risk of sudden death.

-In their statements, experts emphasize that the treatments and even the examinations required for the heart problems and brain aneurysm I am experiencing carry a serious risk of death and disability even in centers with advanced technological facilities, and therefore, the right to be treated by physicians I choose to entrust my life to safely must be urgently recognized.

-My only wish is for my right to life to be protected. If I lose my life in prison when I could be tried without arrest, who is responsible for this? This is the real question that must be asked legally and conscientiously.

-I demand that the life taken from me by unjustly leveled slanders be returned. I want justice to be served as soon as possible, and I entrust my voice to the conscience of the public. Without losing my faith in my state and justice, I want to LIVE.