Statement from Mahir Polat's brother: 'We cannot sleep for fear that something will happen to him and we won't know'

Calls continue for the release of İBB Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, who has not been released from Silivri Prison despite the health problems he is experiencing. 

According to Polat's lawyer, Erkam Erdem, none of the recent blood pressure readings have been observed at normal levels. A statement has also come from Cevdet Polat, the brother of Mahir Polat, who recently had a stent inserted, previously overcame cancer, and is known to suffer from claustrophobia. 

As reported by Cumhuriyet, brother Polat stated that his brother's blood pressure issues are triggered by his phobia of enclosed spaces. 

Cevdet Polat said the following: 

"Mahir has been suffering from this condition since childhood; he hasn't even used an elevator for a long time. He isn't eating or drinking, and we are walking around with our hearts in our hands. At every sound of the phone, our helpless hearts in our chests flutter. We cannot sleep for fear that something will happen to him and we won't know."

Emphasizing that Mahir Polat is the youngest member of the family and a trust left by their mother, Cevdet Polat said, "If something happens to him, what will we tell our mother? What will we say if she asks, 'You four siblings couldn't look after one child?' I am hiding in corners, wondering what I would say if his son Mansur asks, 'Where is my father?'"