Emotional message from Ekrem İmamoğlu for Altan Öymen

Altan Öymen, one of the prominent figures in the Turkish press and political world, has passed away at the age of 93. Öymen, who was receiving intensive care treatment at the Florence Nightingale Hospital in Şişli, Istanbul, due to a viral infection contracted following a successful lung surgery, lost his battle for life yesterday (July 19).

Öymen's death has caused great sadness in political and media circles.

CHP's presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently imprisoned in Silivri Prison, also emphasized Öymen's resolute stance on democracy and freedoms in a message published through his lawyers on the "Presidential Candidate Office" account.

In his message, İmamoğlu included the following statements:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Republican People's Party's former Chairman, journalist, and politician Altan Öymen. Throughout his life, which spanned from journalism to politics, he never compromised on democracy and freedoms. His honorable stance against the press that was sought to be silenced after the March 12 and September 12 coups always served as an inspiration to defenders of democracy.”

Stating that Öymen played an important role in the party's recovery by assuming the chairmanship during a difficult period for the CHP in 1999, İmamoğlu said, “He will always be remembered as a figure we took as an example with his kindness, knowledge, and principled stance. I extend my condolences to his grieving family, his loved ones, and all our party members.”