Police detained an Antalya housewife after failing to apprehend her husband, who is wanted for his former employment at Antalya International University.
The university has been under investigation for its alleged ties to the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding a July 15 coup attempt.
A recent tip submitted to Turkey Purge has shed light on yet another person who found themselves facing tremendous difficulties after the government started a desperate crackdown on people for their real or suspected ties to the movement in the aftermath of July 15.
What follows is the full text of the letter submitted by woman’s husband known by the initials, S.D., who is also an assistant professor.
“I worked as the general-secretary of the Antalya International University for long years before I was fired due to political pressure on the university [management]. All the pressure the government had been imposing on its critics turned into a witch hunt after the July 15 coup attempt. One day, police raided my home as part of one of the operations [targeting critics] when I wasn’t there. They turned the place upside down.
“I was yet to decide on whether to turn myself in or not. When I saw torture allegations reported in written, broadcast and social media, I decided not to surrender myself. I have not stayed at my home since then.
“My former colleagues were being subjected to torture, their families later told me. They were being held under poor conditions, in overcrowded holding cells. They were beaten, and tortured with ice water. The judicial system that is supposed to serve justice had been obviously taken captive by bandits.
“Later on, police raided my home for the second time. They stormed the house to mess everything up. After all these developments, the landlord asked us to leave the house. On top of all the financial troubles and my unemployment, we had to move to another place.
“For the third time, police raided my home, this time in its new location. As they failed to see me, they detained my wife, a mother of four, in front of our children.
“My wife was just a housewife and her only fault was to be married to a man who is wanted. The court arrested her. Our four children were left to fend for themselves. I can’t find any relative to look after them. Our oldest daughter, who is in her senior year at high school and who is supposed to be preparing for university entrance exams, is now unable to even go to school as she is looking after her siblings. My 4 and 7-year-old children started to wake up crying at midnight. I am told that they are asking for mom in tears. My 7-year-old boy started to pee his pants at night.
“I am desperate. We are all psychologically upside down. Justice is being held captive in the hands of those who can arrest a mother of four when they cannot get her husband.
“Isn’t there anybody who will say stop this persecution?” (Turkey Purge)