Istanbul Planning Agency President Buğra Gökçe: “I say with honor that I am struggling to make ends meet, my salary has been seized”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buğra Gökçe, President of the Istanbul Planning Agency, who has been detained since March 23, 2025, as part of an operation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, answered 12punto's questions and made statements to the public from Marmara Prison in Silivri.

Meeting with 12punto legal unit representative Attorney Sıla Gürkan, Gökçe made striking assessments regarding his detention process.

Gökçe described the situation he is facing as a “great injustice” and emphasized his belief that justice will eventually be served.

Categorically rejecting the accusations against him, Gökçe expressed his most notable remarks with the following statements:

“I say with honor and dignity that I am struggling to make ends meet during this time I have been in prison. Because we are people who live on a salary. I am in financial distress because my salary has been seized. My father told me, ‘My son, never reach out to the public treasury (beytülmal).’ I have never reached out to the public treasury.”

Stating that he wants to believe in the principle of an independent judiciary established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, but that he has hesitations in practice, Gökçe underscored that the legal struggle must be continued with absolute determination.

Gökçe said: "I want to believe, I want to believe in the independent judiciary established by Atatürk, but...."

Using the phrases “One must not give up; the essence of politics, along with legal norms, is the will of the people,” Gökçe expressed that society should show solidarity in the name of justice during this process.

Emphasizing his belief that everyone knows he is innocent, Gökçe argued that the real reason for his detention was the reports prepared by the Istanbul Planning Agency.

According to Gökçe, the work the agency presented with scientific data had made the economic difficulties experienced by the people of Istanbul visible and had resonated widely with the public. The Istanbul Planning Agency has drawn attention with its reports on the city's social, economic, and spatial problems to date, and has made comprehensive assessments regarding living conditions in Istanbul with the data it has presented to the public.

Here are all the questions 12punto directed to Buğra Gökçe and Gökçe's answers...

- The government's initial rhetoric when starting these operations was based on corruption. Despite months passing, nothing clear or concrete evidence has been presented. However, they claim that everything will come to light when the trials begin. In your opinion, what is the government basing this rhetoric on? New setups?

The arrest was not made with any preparation. Evidence was not collected; the decision to take us in was made and we were arrested. They are trying to complete the files by forcing people into slander and confessions under the harsh conditions of the inside, and by collecting evidence in this way. I think that statements not reflected in the court, the public, or the media will be included in the indictment. For my part, I am not involved in any of these.

- Do you believe the trial will be fair?

I want to believe... I want to believe in the independent judiciary established by Atatürk, but...

- If there is no fair trial, what kind of struggle are you thinking of being involved in? After all, it is a matter of a political trial process.

The struggle must be continued. One must not give up. The essence of politics, along with legal norms, is the will of the people. During the election period, the Turkish nation will make its decision at the ballot box according to its conscientious requirements.

- Do you think you can make your voice heard?

Those who want to hear, reach out. We have no words for those trying to present it in a negative light. The independent press reaches out to a large extent. I owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to Cumhuriyet, Tele1, Halk TV, Sözcü, and T-24 as well.

- Will you take a more active role in politics after you regain your freedom?

Time will tell. If politics and the people want us and such a climate exists, of course...

- Are you continuing your work in prison? Do you have a system?

Yes, I read and write regularly. I have a plan to publish my book consisting of the diaries I keep here in October. I also read and write about my own field, related to the environment, climate, and urban planning.

- Do you think you are receiving enough support from the outside?

I have received over 1,000 letters; I don't know more than half of those who sent them. My lawyers also convey the comments coming from social media. There is an incredible amount of favor. A large number of people see this victimization and support it.

- In your opinion, when will justice be served?

I think October is critical. Final justice will be served at the ballot box with the will of the nation.

- How are the activities of the IPA progressing right now?

It is idling. Everyone is aware that I am not guilty; I am here because of the reports that challenge the government. I thank each of my friends; they are also striving there.

- When viewed from the outside, according to the allegations conveyed especially by the pro-government media, there are problems within the internal dynamics of the CHP... What are your impressions regarding your party; do these allegations worry you?

I think it is manipulative. The party will overcome these. There is a rallying around the candidacy of the Chairman and Mayor Ekrem. The CHP is the most deep-rooted plane tree of the Republic... Nothing will happen.