Reaction from Neptün Soyer: The real public loss is keeping Tunç Soyer detained

The detention process of former İzmir Mayor Tunç Soyer has been ongoing for 9 months. The book "Gelecek Olsun" (Let There Be Future), compiled from the diaries Soyer kept in prison, has been released to readers under the Kırmızı Kedi Publishing label.

Tunç Soyer, whose detention was extended by a second case opened just five days before his scheduled release, was discussed by his wife, Neptün Soyer, and their daughters, Defne and Duygu Soyer, in an interview with Sercan Meriç on Kırmızı Kedi TV. 

Soyer's daughter, lawyer Defne Soyer, stated that there was no evidence of any crime in the first case where her father was accused regarding urban transformation projects, and noted that Court of Accounts reports and municipal assessments concluded there was "no public loss."

SECOND ARREST 5 DAYS BEFORE RELEASE

Explaining that the process has been dragged into a "legal deadlock," Defne Soyer said: 

“At the end of a 6-month detention, just 5 days before his release on January 5, a second case was suddenly brought against us. This case concerned the internal operations of cooperatives over which Tunç Soyer had no authority or responsibility. They tried to hold my father responsible for an area that, by law of cooperatives, no outsider can intervene in. This is entirely a 'backup' file created to prevent his release.”

Responding to the question of why the book is titled "Gelecek Olsun" (Let There Be Future) instead of "Geçmiş Olsun" (Get Well Soon/Past Be Gone), Defne Soyer said, “Saying 'Geçmiş olsun' is to lament that difficulties are behind us. My father, however, believes that every difficulty experienced is a bridge to the future. That is why, by saying 'Gelecek Olsun,' he focuses on what kind of future we will build out of this darkness. Those who read the book will not find a prison drama, but an unshakable hope and vision.”

MINISTRY CONTINUES HIS PROJECTS

Neptün Soyer stated that her husband has always had a disciplined work routine and kept notes, adding, “It is as if an incredible back-office is working inside. He finishes a book every two days. He follows the entire world agenda and produces ideas. He reads newspapers line by line, and even goes to court with newspaper clippings in his hand to make his defense.”

Neptün Soyer reacted to the "public loss" allegation that forms the basis of the case, pointing out that the projects Tunç Soyer implemented in İzmir and Seferihisar are now being implemented by the Ministries themselves across Turkey:

“Tunç being inside is a public loss in itself. The Cittaslow project, for which Tunç laid the foundation in Seferihisar, is being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism in Tunceli today. The 'Sponge City' project he started in İzmir is being sent to all public buildings by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization via circular. If you keep the architect of this vision inside for 9 months, you are stealing from the country's future. This is the real public loss.”

FULL OF HOPE INSIDE

Soyer's other daughter, Duygu Soyer, stated that her father knows how to enjoy life under any circumstances and gives morale to his family, saying; "We haven't seen him troubled even once in 9 months. He talks to us about flowers and spring, and gives us hope."