Esila Ayık, Arda Öğüşlü and Mehmet Efe Erdoğan, university students were recently arrested in Türkiye in early April 2025 for allegedly holding up protest signs at a youth concert in İstanbul. The charges involve insulting the presidency and can carry prison sentences of almost up to 5 years. On May 15, 2025, the students were released pending trial. The Committee is concerned that these students and others are being arbitrarily prosecuted in order to silence mass protests.
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June 16, 2025
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
President of Republic of Türkiye
T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Genel Sekreterliği
Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi 06560 Beştepe
Ankara, Türkiye
Phone: +90 312 525 55 55
Dear His Excellency, President Erdogan:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are greatly concerned about Esila Ayık, Arda Öğüşlü and Mehmet Efe Erdoğan, university students who were arrested in Türkiye in early April 2025 for allegedly holding up protest signs at a youth concert in İstanbul. The charges involve insulting the presidency under Article 299 and can carry sentences of almost up to four years in prison. On May 15, 2025, the students were released pending trial, but still face severe sentences for what should be a legitimate right of protest.
We are also concerned about reports that some students did not receive appropriate medication while detained.
We ask that the charges against these students be dropped and that medical care be provided to those who are detained.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Yılmaz Tunç
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
06659 Kızılay,
Ankara, Türkiye
Phone: (0312) 417 77 70
E-mail: info@adalet.gov.tr
Fax: (0312) 419 33 70