Tunç Soyer protests: What we didn't think was even a one-in-a-million possibility has come true

Former Mayor of İzmir MetropolitanMunicipalityTunç Soyer, who is being tried while in custodyin the cooperative case,regarding the İzmir Business People Örnekköy Housing Construction Cooperativeregarding the "embezzlement" allegations at the Cooperative, the investigationconducted, after the decision for detention was made against him, he published an open letter.

In his letter, where he emphasized "justice," Soyer stated, "Thus we understood this; even if the court panel decides for our release at the hearing on January 5, they will not let us out theyare trying toprevent it,” he said.

In the letter he shared on his social media account, where he emphasized "justice," Soyer used the following expressions:

“Dear Friends,

We were wrong to say, ‘The air and water of İzmir are different’..! I would not have wanted to write this letter as we enter a new year. Please forgive me, I was forced to. Because; In İzmir, Justice has fallentotheground. It did notslip; it was "deliberately and systematically" broughtdown.

My heartwas broken too, but my protest is not just because of that. One day, everyone will understand that justice is as essential as oxygen.If it is wounded,if its wounds are not bandaged and it is not helped up from the ground, more peoplewill be hurt. On July 1, 2025,at dawn, 157 people were taken into custody in a dawn operation.we were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 dayswe were taken into custody. For 6 months, after the process of elimination, only 2 of us remained in detention. Since it was understood by everyone—including the court panel—that the file was completely empty and the allegations were baseless, our hope for release at the hearing to be held 5 days later, on January 5, 2026, was high. Regarding the file concerning the internal operations of the cooperatives that were separated (severed) from this case, 3 daysAn audit report arrived on December 26th. My name does not appear at all in the report, but the final sentence states that Icould be held responsible because I introduced the cooperative model.When the report arrived,neither I nor any legal expertforesaw the possibility that I would be included in this investigation.

When the report arrived, neither I nor any legal expertforesaw the possibility that I would be included in this investigation.happened. But it did nothappen that way. The thing we didn't think was even a one-in-a-million possibility has cometrue! Last night, towards morning,the same two people were arrested for the second time. And all because of the internal affairs of a cooperative—which we had no way of knowing about.internalaffairs. Thus,in this way We have understood this; even if the court panel decides to release us at the hearing on January 5th, they are tryingto preventour release.

With this new detention order, our ordeal has truly turned into an Aziz Nesin-stylestoryofu.

And why this anger, this hatred, this panic? I wonder who was so disturbed by the social municipalism we practiced. Or is this incomprehensibleprocess a desire for revenge against generations, as in the MiddleAges? I do not know...

The charge of "aiding in embezzlement"without a single piece of evidenceThere is not a single act or action in the file regarding me. The tendency to bendthe rules of lawjust to hurtsomeone, andto twist the lawto fit one's own agenda, leaves no room for trust in the law,in legal professionals,or in justice.

The point we have reached is, in a word, frustration. Tomorrow is a new day, a new year. Tomorrow, hope in spite of everything, struggle in spite of everything! New yearMay justice be with you.

Stay well, dear friends..!

İzmir No. 1 F-Type High-Security Penal Execution Institution, Ward B/63, Buca – Kırklar

30.12.2025”

News Source: 12punto