Tayfun Kahraman shares post: 'I must say firsthand that everyone is standing firmly united'
City planner and academic Tayfun Kahraman, who is imprisoned at Marmara Closed Prison in Silivri as part of the Gezi Park trial, shared on his social media account that he met with many individuals, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who were arrested during the operation targeting the IMM.
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In a note shared from Tayfun's X account regarding the meeting, which included the phrase, "I must say firsthand: Everyone's morale is very high. Everyone is standing firmly united," the following was recorded:
"Greetings to everyone from Silivri. During our meetings with our lawyers today, I encountered colleagues, bureaucrats, and wonderful people with whom I served Istanbul, whom I haven't been able to see for years and have missed dearly.
I had the opportunity to see my Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, who performs wonderful municipal work in Beylikdüzü with his professional knowledge; my friend Gürkan Akgün, with whom I am honored to work and grew up together; my dear friend Emrah Şahan, the guardian of Şişli and Istanbul; Fatih Keleş, with whom I am very happy to work; my friend Buğra Gökçe, the head of the Istanbul Planning Agency; Rıza Akpolat, whose heart and mind are still with the people of Beşiktaş; our elected mayor of Esenyurt and our esteemed academic Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer; my friend Mahir Polat, who teaches us statesmanship again and again; dozens of beautiful people, and of course, our Mayor Ekrem, with whom I am honored to walk this path.
I must say firsthand: Everyone's morale is very high. Everyone is standing firmly united. Of course, there is nothing good about being deprived of freedom. No one here should remain behind cold walls for even a single day.
But know this: Hope is bursting forth from Silivri Prison. The power of being clean and being in the right is in everyone's eyes. The resistance of having courage and dignity is in everyone's stride.
"THE LOUD VOICE OF THE CITIZEN ECHOES IN SILIVRI"
We feel the power of the Turkish Nation, which objects to the mistakes of courts that claim to make decisions in the name of the Turkish Nation, and which puts its body on the line at ballot boxes and in squares with their red flags, saying, 'I am not a party to this decision.'
The loud voice of millions of citizens of the Republic of Turkey, who shout for justice in the squares and fight for their rights, echoes in Silivri. We will watch you again this evening.
You, our nation, are the hope of Turkey and of us. With my hope and enthusiasm that transcends walls, I greet you all with love. May no stone touch your feet.
Tayfun Kahraman March 24, 2025 - Silivri Prison"