Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has retuned home after 27 days, including a 25-day “March of Justice,” shedding 3.5 kilograms during the 450-kilometer (280 mile) walk from Ankara to İstanbul.
“I have returned by car via the same road that I walked. I asked my friends how I walked such a long way,” said Kılıçdaroğlu, speaking to reporters on his way home.
“I hope all Turkish citizens have felt the same tranquility that I feel. That was the goal of this march,” added Kılıçdaroğlu, saying that he was happy to be returning home.
Upon a question from villagers along the way, Kılıçdaroğlu said lost about 3.5 kilograms during his walk.
The March of Justice from Ankara to İstanbul was initiated in protest of the arrest of CHP deputy Enis Berberoğlu, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for leaking information for a report on National Intelligence Organization (MİT) trucks transporting weapons to jihadists in Syria.
Berberoğlu has been held in Maltepe Prison since June 14.
Kılıçdaroğlu, who on Sunday addressed march supporters during a “Justice Rally” held to mark the completion of the march in İstanbul, said: “We have ended our march, which we started on the morning of June 15 in Ankara’s Güven Park, in Maltepe. Nobody should think this march is an ending; it’s a first step. July 9 is a new day, July 9 is a new birth.”