CHP Caucus Member Eren Erdem, who was held in prison for 489 days, held a press conference with Istanbul Provincial President Canan Kaftancıoğlu at CHP Istanbul Provincial Center after his release. Erdem said “I’m not scared today, nor will I be scared tomorrow.” 

Erdem told about his prison friend Osman Kavala and said, “Osman Kavala was in the side ward. We talked through the walls by shouting.”.

We have to maintain our actions by praying

Eren Erdem greeted the participants at the press release and said “It is not be able to demonstrate approaches to legal proceedings in Turkey.” We have to maintaing our actions by praying.” We have to support each other by praying. In the past, we used to pray and do what is legally necessary. But the second doesn’t work anymore. But we will continue to struggle for law again”.

I am not a person captured due to ordinary crime

Erdem thanked those who supported him and said, “I am not a person who is held in prison due to an ordinary crime.” I’m a prisoner for fighting crimes. I am a person who has entered into a democratic struggle with an understanding that tries to eliminate democracy, justice and the republic. When someone puts us in jail, he may imagine that he has punished and intimidated us. But there’s one thing they don’t take into account. I am a member of a political movement whose death warrant was issued against the founding leader and whose leaders were arrested during the coup periods. Therefore, it is an insult to the political movement that I belong, not to say the words that should be said with the concern of going to prison. Together, with the same sensitivity, we will continue to integrate Turkey with real democracy. I was arrested as a CHP member and released as well.

Demirtaş is also a prisoner

Erdem said that he stood trial for terrorism and said “Many people in prison are paying unjust and unlawful political costs in prison.” I was in solidarity with each of them in this process. Selahattin Demirtas is also in prison, due to same reasons. Our processes are alike. Our wards were side by side with Osman Kavala. We used to see each other through a small window and sometimes talked to each other by shouting during the day.

I bear the weight of being judged for terrorism on my shoulders. I want to hand over the judges to the conscience of the honorable people. If you consider poets, writers, politicians a terrorist, terror becomes a thing that writes poem. You dress terror with the world’s most intellectual cloth. “This is what happens in Turkey.” he expressed.