Sadettin Tantan, Ümit Zileli, Suay Karaman... A farewell to Turan Karakaş from his close friends

12punto columnist and defense attorney in the Ergenekon conspiracy trials, Turan Karakaş, has passed away.

Turan Karakaş, an attorney who defended Republican figures in the Ergenekon conspiracy trials, a former member of the Cumhuriyet Foundation Board of Directors, and a 12punto columnist, has passed away at the age of 77. Attorney Turan Karakaş, who wrote his last column on April 12, 2024, had been receiving treatment for cancer for some time.

Attorney Turan Karakaş, who brought to the judiciary the allegations that shook Cumhuriyet Newspaper regarding the publication of news in exchange for off-the-books payments and the sale of its 100-year archive, was also a writer for the 12punto family.

His friends from the worlds of media, politics, and law shared their memories of Turan Karakaş with 12punto.

Journalist and author Ümit Zileli:

“Turan Karakaş was one of the rare people who knew very well what it meant to be an intellectual raised by this country and had truly internalized it. His entire life was spent fighting for the well-being of this people and the freedom of these lands. He was an intellectual who should always be remembered with the respect he deserved. We lost him too soon. We lost him at a time when we needed him so much. I am very sad, may his soul rest in peace."

Former CHP deputy Prof. Dr. Nurettin Demir:

“Turan Bey was my elder, my senior, and my friend. He was a unique, highly cultured person. I learned a lot from him. He supported me greatly. The same goes for my entry into politics. May God have mercy on him.”

Former Vice President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Attorney Hüseyin Özbek:

“I had a close relationship with Turan brother. We had a bond that developed even before his time at Cumhuriyet Newspaper and the Cumhuriyet Foundation. He was a virtuous person. He was an intellectual. He was a witness to his era. He was a respected person both in the field of law and in the cultural sense. Whether in the press or other fields, he was always on the side of the truth. He did not give way to wrongdoing. We bow with respect before his memory.”

Former Minister of Interior and Yurt Party Chairman Sadettin Tantan:

"I learned with deep sadness of the passing of the valuable jurist Turan Karakaş, a founding member of the Yurt Party, a former administrator of the Cumhuriyet Foundation, and a man who dedicated his life to the Republic. I wish God's mercy upon him; I offer my condolences to his family, his loved ones, and the Cumhuriyet family."

TÜMÖD Secretary General, retired lecturer Suay Karaman:

"I want to say a few words with the pain of losing our friend, our lawyer Turan Karakaş. I am experiencing the sadness of losing our Turan brother, whom I have known for more than 20 years, with whom I have participated in panels and shared friendly conversations.

I was with my extremely knowledgeable, cultured, friendly, and people-loving Turan brother a lot, especially during the Ergenekon process. During my time as the Secretary General of the Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD), we visited ADD Chairman Şener Eruygur together in Kandıra Prison. We witnessed many events together. My Turan brother's selfless, sincere, tolerant, and upright personality has been an example to us.

In our conversations and discussions with many of our mutual friends, our Turan brother was always the center of attention. He was also a close friend of our teacher Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Işıklı, whom we lost 11 years ago. Our relationships always developed in a very good way. When I got together with my friend Barış Doster, we would always talk about our Turan brother and call him. My Turan brother was from Kars. My father's side of the family also settled in Kars from the Caucasus, and my great-grandfather was a Kars judge. My Turan brother used to call me his fellow countryman.

He was very saddened by the events regarding the Cumhuriyet Foundation and was very hurt by what was said about him. He would talk about these at length. The words and attitudes of some people had deeply saddened Turan brother.

When I attended a panel held in İzmir in the name of Alpaslan Işıklı on September 30, we visited Turan Karakaş in Urla with Prof. Dr. Nurettin Demir. His condition was not very good, I was very sad. But there is nothing to be done. May our friend Turan brother rest in peace. We will continue our struggle without Turan brother. That is all I have to say with the pain of losing a very good friend..."

"I HAVE A PROMISE I MADE TO HIM"

12punto columnist Prof. Dr. İzzettin Önder:

"I knew him for a short time, but I knew him very well. He left a very good impression on me. He stood tall during a period when politics and the economy were crushing everyone.

He asked me to write a book on a class basis within the framework of Marxist analysis. It was Turan bey who introduced me to 12punto. I am very sad, may God have mercy on him.

Turan bey has passed from this world, but I have a promise I made to him. I will write that book as soon as possible.

He told me about the events at Cumhuriyet. He left there with some of those sorrows. My condolences to us all."

"TURAN BROTHER WAS THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS"

12punto columnist Attorney Haydar Aksoy:

"In some situations, words lose their meaning. The death of Turan brother was like that. When I think of Turan brother, I remember him like a garden of friendship.

When I heard we lost him, my heart ached. A void formed inside me. When people like Turan brother leave, one feels a little more alone. There is much to be said, but words lose their meaning.

Turan brother was the voice of the voiceless. I feel a little more alone with his departure.

Turan brother is an irreplaceable person. Values like Turan brother need to be introduced to new generations. He would have wanted that too. He was very sensitive towards young people.

My condolences to us all."

News Source: 12punto

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