The price of protest for a national judoka! Spent 29 days in prison, expelled from the national team

CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested, sparking a series of protests. Among the students detained and held in prison for 29 days for participating in a demonstration on April 25 on Konur Street, which demanded the release of imprisoned students, was METU student and national para-judoka Taylan İnce.

National para-judoka İnce, who has achieved European and World rankings, was removed from the national team and had his relationship with his club terminated following his detention and arrest as part of the protests that began with the March 19 process.

İnce described how his sports life changed after his arrest.

"THEY SAID, 'BE CAREFUL, YOU'LL LOSE YOUR NATIONAL STATUS'"

“When the March 19 process began, we were at the national team camp in Rize. We were about to set off for the World Cup to be held in Georgia on March 21. In those days, I was following the developments in the country, especially the rising voices of the youth, carefully as a citizen, beyond my identity as an athlete. While going to Georgia, we were talking on the bus with my teammates about how this process had not only a legal but also a political dimension. Of course, everyone's perspective and approach were different, and I respect that. During the tournament in Georgia, eye exams were conducted for the athletes. I 'failed' that exam, but it was actually due to a technical limitation. The doctors told me, 'We cannot make a healthy assessment here; our technical facilities are limited. Let's do your exam during the competition to be held in Kazakhstan in May.' I started waiting to go to Kazakhstan, both to compete and to be re-evaluated there.

However, after returning from the World Cup, I could not remain silent in the face of what was happening. As a METU student, I wanted to fulfill my social responsibility and took part in the march from Kuğulu Park to Güvenpark. I also shared my thoughts on this process via social media. After these, I felt excluded by some managers within the Ministry and some of my national team friends. There were those who unfollowed me, those who said, 'Be careful, you'll lose your national status,' and after a while, I was removed from the national team communication groups without any official explanation. I received no feedback regarding the Kazakhstan process. I was just quietly left out without anything being said. It wasn't an easy process. But I don't see sports as just a medal race. For me, sports is a stance, a form of representation. Knowing that staying silent is also a stance, I chose my place knowingly and believingly. My club did not take a stance during this process; they neither supported nor opposed me. They remained neutral; this is a stance that should be respected in its own right.

"I WAS PUT ON HOLD"

Frankly, the 'objection' I carried out during this process was not so much an official petition as it was an effort to explain the situation to the people in this community with whom we have been together and in communication for years. In other words, I didn't just say 'I was removed from the squad'; I also tried to express why I raised my voice and that there was a stance behind this process.

The feedback was quite constructive at first. There were people who understood, empathized, and supported me. But when we look at the results, I saw that all these positive approaches were not reflected in practice. As for the Ministry, no official statement or clear feedback was conveyed to me during this process. I can say that I was put on hold.

"I DID THE RIGHT THING"

On April 25, I was on Konur Street in Ankara. We came together so that the imprisoned students would be released. There were people from very different walks of life in the area; those who said Taksim is the May 1st square, and women defending their right to birth. I just wanted to say this: Our friends are unjustly imprisoned. We will not accept this silently, but what happened there that day was not a constitutional right, it was clear violence. While the police were torturing a female friend of ours in the area, I stood against that violence. I didn't let go of her hand. After that moment, I was also severely beaten. I was dragged on the ground and kicked repeatedly, with my head targeted. That is how I was taken into custody. I officially received a medical report for the injuries on my body. That day, not only my thoughts but also my body was meant to be punished.

I was in custody for two days. Then, I was arrested by order and spent 29 days in prison. I don't know what my crime was. All I know is that I was there to stand against injustice. While I was in prison, everyone learned that I had been arrested thanks to the videos and photos circulating outside. This opened a new page in my life: My national team career is over. My relationship with my club was damaged. My right to play sports, all my years of effort, were taken away from me in an instant. The reason was only that I raised my voice. I am hurt, but I am not angry. Because I know: I did the right thing. My struggle continues on the streets just as it started on the mat. In this country, sports should not be measured only by winning medals. Sometimes the real struggle is to be on the streets and in the squares without losing your voice.

"I COULD NOT IGNORE IT"

I think the only team I can represent now is the METU Judo Team. I will carry my university's colors for a while. This is a great pride for me; because being a student at METU is not just a title, but also a matter of stance. And with this stance, I want to continue my commitment and effort to judo. Of course, an athlete's biggest dream is to compete in the Olympics. I want that too. Who knows, maybe I'll qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games, but under current conditions, this doesn't seem very possible in Turkey. Sometimes it's not enough to just be an athlete; you are also expected to be silent and ignore things. I couldn't do that.

Still, this road doesn't end here. If there is no obstacle such as a travel ban, there is a possibility of competing periodically in judo leagues in Europe, especially in France and Germany. It is possible to compete on a tournament basis as a loan there. I am open to evaluation if an offer comes. Also, during this process, I received messages of support from international athlete rights organizations such as Athleten Deutschland. They also reminded me that this road is not walked alone. In short; my sports life will continue where conditions allow and within the boundaries drawn by my conscience. I am not quitting judo, only time will show which flag I will step onto the mat with now.

"I AM NOT JUST AN ATHLETE, I AM A CONSCIENTIOUS CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY"

The most critical moment of this process for me was the moment I realized that sports no longer protected me. The effort I put in for years, the medals I won, the national jersey I wore; they were ignored when I did not remain silent about the torture inflicted on a woman, when I took to the streets for my imprisoned friends. I was beaten in custody, it was recorded with reports. I was unlawfully arrested and spent 29 days in prison. During this process, my right to play sports was taken away from me. I was removed from the National Team. Very few people asked, 'Why is he inside?' Because in this country, whoever they want to silence, they first leave them alone.

But at that very moment, I realized I was not alone. After I got out of prison, the support of the METU Judo Team, my professors, and my friends kept me standing. My university's Sports Directorate gave me an achievement award because I did not take a step back from my stance despite all the pressure I faced. But I didn't take that award for myself. I accepted that award on behalf of my friends Sezer, Hamza, Ebru, Melike, and Fuat, who were still inside that day. In the hall, when their names were read, hundreds of people stood up and applauded for minutes. That moment was a turning point not only for me but for everyone who believes that justice is still possible.

Yes, injustice has become systematized in this country. Seeking rights is considered a crime, speaking out is considered a threat, and resisting is considered dangerous. But let them know: There are people in this country who want justice and defend their dignity. I am not just an athlete. I am also a conscientious citizen of this country. I was asked not to remain silent about torture and not to turn a blind eye to injustice. I did not stay silent, and I will not stay silent.”