Up to 40 years in prison requested: A letter from Dilan Polat in prison

Dilan Polat and Engin Polat, a couple who have frequently made headlines for their luxurious lifestyle and whose source of income has been a subject of curiosity, were taken into custody on November 1. The couple, who are under investigation for money laundering, tax evasion, and forming a criminal organization, were arrested and sent to prison.

The investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Bureau of Investigation for Terrorism and Organized Crime into 28 suspects, including Dilan and Engin Polat, has been completed.

In the indictment, a total prison sentence of 20 to 40 years was requested for the couple Dilan Polat and Engin Polat for the crimes of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "laundering assets derived from crime," and "violating the law on the regulation of betting and games of chance in football and other sports competitions."

While prison sentences of varying lengths were requested for the other 26 suspects in the investigation for different crimes, the indictment was sent to the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd High Criminal Court.

LETTER FROM DİLAN POLAT

A letter has arrived from Dilan Polat, who will appear before a judge for the first time on September 4. Dilan Polat's mother-in-law, Şükran Polat, shared the letter on social media, stating, 'I cannot bear it.'

DİLAN POLAT: THEY LEFT ME TO DIE

In the letter, Dilan Polat's words, "They are separating us from our children unjustly. We are being tried without a single piece of evidence in the indictment. We have no guilt. They are tormenting and persecuting us. They have left me here to die," drew attention.

Polat used the following expressions in the letter:

"They are persecuting the public. They are separating us from our children unjustly. We are being tried without a single piece of evidence in the indictment. We have no guilt. They are inflicting torment and persecution upon us. With only the statements of false witnesses in the indictment, we will remain longing for our children for months more."

They left me here to die. If something happens to me—and I can no longer live like this—I will never forgive any of them. I do not have the strength, not even a single day left, to endure the longing for my children.

I can no longer bear this injustice. I do not forgive you. May you get what you deserve from God. I am dying separately from my children. You have separated us here unjustly and without cause."

"YOU HAVE TORMENTED US FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I DO NOT FORGIVE YOU"

You called the family an 'organization.' You turned a family business into an organization. You said 'money laundering.' You called the money we earned through honest work 'dirty.' All the reports have come in. You persecuted us, you called it media pressure.

In one night, you tore us from our home with slanders, took videos and photos, and shared them with the media. You have tormented us from the very beginning. My freedom is unimportant. You separated us from our children unjustly, without cause. And you are still continuing; it never ends.

"A mother should not be subjected to such cruelty. All the reports are available. The prosecutor requested my release, yet I am still unjustly separated from my children. I do not forgive anyone who has taken my rights away."

Here is that letter written in Dilan Polat's own handwriting...

RESPONSE TO LETTER REACTIONS

The fact that the letter from Dilan Polat was written in a notebook and lacked a prison stamp also drew attention. Polat's friend Canan Toprak made a statement regarding the issue, saying, "The letter Dilan Polat wrote in prison has caused misunderstandings by some. Questions have been asked like, 'How did the letter get out of prison?' However, those asking the question likely do not know that Dilan Polat writes notes in her lawyer's notebook during every attorney visit. They also likely do not know that Dilan Polat sometimes writes letters to her children and loved ones on the outside to pour out her feelings. When the lawyer went to inform her about the detention review, Dilan Polat asked to write down her inner sadness. That is why it is written in the notebook. The handwriting and signature belong to Dilan Polat herself. She wrote to us that she has reached her breaking point and wants this persecution to end, as a final hope to not lose her grip on life."