Letter from Muhittin Böcek in prison: 'My health is getting worse every day'

Muhittin Böcek, who was arrested in Antalya as part of a "bribery" investigation and suspended from his post as Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, has sent a letter from the prison where he is being held. Stating, "I have been made a target as part of systematic attempts to discredit Republican People's Party mayors," Böcek noted that he has been deprived of his freedom for 27 days due to an allegation in which his name was not even mentioned. Emphasizing that his health condition is deteriorating under prison conditions, Böcek said, "It is hard to breathe here, but I know I am not the only one struggling for breath. I know that the children, youth, parents, and retirees of my country are also unable to breathe."

Muhittin Böcek, who was arrested on July 5 as part of an investigation launched by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on bribery charges and was suspended from his post as Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, wrote a letter from prison.

"MY HEALTH IS DETERIORATING A LITTLE MORE EVERY DAY"

In the letter he sent to Sözcü columnist Saygı Öztürk, Böcek stated that his health condition is getting worse every day. Recalling that he had his third angiography on May 28 and uses 14 medications a day, Böcek said, "Yes, as a citizen Muhittin Böcek, my blood pressure rises due to prison conditions that become even more severe in hot weather, and I struggle, but I am even more saddened when I see that the tension in our country is rising. Even though I have difficulty breathing in prison conditions, I know that our people who are struggling with economic difficulties are also unable to breathe."

Böcek used the following expressions in his letter:

"My health is deteriorating a little more every day, and my situation has now turned into not just a legal but also a vital issue. As you all know, I spent 90 days in intensive care during the 108-day Covid period. The traces of those days have turned into permanent damage that I still carry in my body today. Due to the damage to my lungs, I have difficulty breathing in closed spaces and sometimes need an oxygen tank. I have been a diabetes and hypertension patient for a long time; my latest results showed high kidney values. I am also experiencing prostate and cholesterol problems. I had my 3rd angiography on May 28. I use 14 medications a day. I suffered serious muscle loss after Covid; I was able to maintain my quality of life with regular physical therapy. I am currently deprived of this treatment as well.

Yes, as a citizen Muhittin Böcek, my blood pressure rises due to prison conditions that become even more severe in hot weather, and I struggle, but I am even more saddened when I see that the tension in our country is rising. Even though I have difficulty breathing in prison conditions, I know that our people who are struggling with economic difficulties are also unable to breathe.

...

Yes, it is hard to breathe here, but I know I am not the only one struggling for breath. I know that the children, youth, parents, and retirees of my country are also unable to breathe. But I am never hopeless. I know that the days when we will take a deeper breath as a country are very close."