Tayfun Kahraman, who was subjected to mistreatment in a prison transport vehicle, recounts those moments for the first time: 'The greatest torture...'

Tayfun Kahraman, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the Gezi Park Trial, was subjected to handcuffed torment while being taken for a routine neurology check-up due to his MS disease.

After the footage of the incident, which took place in August, emerged, Kahraman recounted what he experienced for the first time.

According to Sözcü, Kahraman, who was kept handcuffed in a prison vehicle for minutes, said that when he asked for his handcuffs to be loosened slightly, they were tightened even more. Kahraman also pointed out that he had not been subjected to such treatment before and that there were irregularities during his treatment.

“The greatest torture is being kept in prison while knowing you are innocent,” said Kahraman, adding, “I am losing a new day every day from my freedom, my health, and the most beautiful years of my child. I persistently and stubbornly ask the question, ‘What is my concrete crime?’ and I receive no answer.”

Here is the letter Kahraman wrote from prison:

“On August 28, 2024, while going for a check-up, everything proceeded strangely from the beginning. From the start of the day, oddities began. First of all, when we set off, they handcuffed me much tighter than usual. I gently informed the attending personnel that 'the handcuffs were too tight and this could negatively affect my health.' I explained that I am an MS patient, that I do not have the same blood values and muscle structure as normal people, that my blood values are low due to the medication I use, and that I am more sensitive to impacts. He asked his superior, the non-commissioned officer, what to do. While I was expecting him to loosen them, he tightened my handcuffs even more. After traveling for 25 minutes in pain like that, they only loosened the handcuffs when they saw bruising on my wrists during a break.

“BEING ASSOCIATED WITH FETÖ IS THE GREATEST INSULT"

They referred to me as a FETÖ member and wrote 'FETÖ/PDY convict' in the report. Yet, I was tried with an indictment prepared by FETÖ/PDY and fabricated evidence. We have explained this many times. Being associated with a structure that I have been against my whole life, which set a trap to send us here and fabricated evidence, is a great insult.

During the examination at the hospital, the gendarmerie normally waits outside. Besides, the room in the hospital we went to is on the upper floor, there is nowhere to escape. Furthermore, I have been there many times and there was no gendarmerie in the room in any of them. This time, they said they would accompany the examination as well. I think they wanted to prevent a report from being filed by putting pressure on the doctors. However, the doctor saw the marks on my arms and filed a report. He did his duty. Then they tightened my handcuffs even more and literally dragged me through the hospital.

“MY BLOOD PRESSURE ROSE, MY VISION DARKENED"

Later, when they took another prisoner to another hospital, they left the prison vehicle in the midday sun, in the August heat. I was kept waiting for minutes under that sun inside the already airless vehicle. My blood pressure rose, my vision darkened, and my fingers started to go numb.

After returning to prison, I shared what happened with my lawyers and my wife. Upon this, the matter was heard by the public. An investigation was launched on the same day. However, as you know, the District Governorship blocked the investigation. The lawyers made the necessary objections. We are waiting for the result.

I have been imprisoned for nearly 3 years and I had not been subjected to systematic torment until that day. It was shocking. It was humiliating. I was truly surprised to be subjected to treatment that makes one question their humanity, especially that they made an effort to make me suffer and did so knowing that it would create serious health problems. I would not have thought that a person would do such things. I don't know the reason. But I know that there can be no reasonable cause for such a thing. This treatment should not be done to me, nor to any human being.

“I AM ENTERING THE NEW YEAR AWAY FROM MY FAMILY AND MY CHILD"

The greatest torture is being kept in prison while knowing you are innocent. It has been almost 3 years. For the 3rd time, I am entering the new year away from my family and my child. The new year means hope for everyone. My hope is that our file pending at the Constitutional Court (AYM) will be reviewed as soon as possible and the fact that we were not tried fairly will be decided.

Because I am losing a new day every day from my freedom, my health, and the most beautiful years of my child. I persistently and stubbornly ask the question, “What is my concrete crime?” and I receive no answer. I ask, “What is the evidence showing the alleged crime, that is, that I attempted to overthrow the government by force and violence?” and I receive no answer. I ask, “On what grounds was I sentenced to 18 years in prison?” and I receive no answer. Because there is no answer to these questions. I know very well what I did and did not do. Anyone who examines the file will see the injustice and lawlessness I have suffered.

This has gone beyond being a mistake or an error; it has turned into persecution. I hope 2025 will be a year where the innocent are not in prison. I wish everyone a happy new year and thank everyone for the support they have shown. Rest assured, this support makes me stronger in this cell where I am locked up alone, it gives me honor.

“ONE SHOULD NEVER LOSE HOPE"

Even though I have talked about negative things, one should never lose hope. I know there are many people who are with us and whose hearts beat with us in this process. We as a society are experiencing a state of numbness. Sometimes people numb themselves to cope with pain. However, even if this relieves the pain, it makes the disease permanent or even fatal. We need to get out of this state of numbness and start moving, we need to heal. We can do this together.

My request, wish, and desire is for people who listen to the voice of their conscience and can say wrong is wrong to speak louder. It doesn't matter what your views are. Once it becomes normalized to send people to prison without justification and evidence, as in our case, it will drag our country into disaster. The saying of Hz. Ali, “The religion of the state is justice,” points out that states can only survive when they are just. All of us, especially those who have responsibility, must pave the way for the necessary processes to eliminate injustice. There is no loser in this; on the contrary, our country, our democracy, and our brotherhood will win.

I love my country and its people very much. There is no other Turkey. I believe that it is not long before my country and I, as a citizen, attain the justice we deserve.