Mahir Polat's lawyer Erkam Erdem: I see the release as possible, I believe he will be released.

Mahir Polat, the Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), who is detained at Silivri Prison and has numerous health issues, spoke to Euronews Turkish through his lawyer Erkam Erdem: "I see the possibility of his release, and I believe Mr. Mahir will be released."

Mahir Polat was detained on Wednesday, March 19, as part of the "city reconciliation" investigation targeting the IMM and was later arrested and sent to Marmara Prison in Silivri. Polat, who has six stents in his body and suffers from claustrophobia and hypertension, is facing increasing social calls for his release. His lawyer, Erkam Erdem, stated to Euronews Turkish, "I see the possibility of his release, and I believe Mr. Mahir will be released," and addressed a topic that has been trending on social media. In response to Euronews Turkish's question, "Did Mahir Polat give a statement to the prison administration meaning 'I am responsible for what happens to me due to my blood pressure'?", Erdem replied, "This issue is being misreported. He signed such a statement in my presence, but there is a context to it." He explained, "Although he had a blood pressure level that warranted a transfer to the hospital that day, he entered into a meeting with me, so the prison requested such a statement."

"We are not focusing on the transfer, we have the agenda of release." The location of Marmara Prison in Silivri, located in the far west of Istanbul, is particularly discussed in the context of Mahir Polat's health problems. His lawyer emphasized that Polat's health status and the medical interventions he needs are of vital importance, mentioning that their main agenda is his release. "We are currently not focusing on a transfer [to another prison]. We have the agenda of release."

The report expected from the Forensic Medicine Institute is critical for Polat to access the medical care he needs. In a statement made on Monday, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said, "The Forensic Medicine Institute will provide a report with the necessary examination. If the report is approved, release can be granted." Polat's lawyer Erdem stated, "If the Forensic Medicine Institute report is unfavorable, and if the appeals process results negatively, then we will evaluate those circumstances," indicating that they might consider the issue of transferring to another prison in the worst-case scenario.

What happened? Polat was transferred to the hospital on Friday morning for a 'report'. It was later announced that Polat had been transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute. Polat was arrested on March 23 as part of the investigation into the "city reconciliation" targeting the IMM. Having suffered from severe hypertension since the age of 21, Polat has been taken to the hospital twice from prison, and during the last hospital transfer, he underwent angiography. After the angiography, Polat was sent back to Silivri Prison. He had also undergone angiography two weeks prior to his arrest, with six stents placed in his coronary arteries. Erdem, Polat's lawyer, stated that his discharge from the hospital did not indicate that Polat's health had stabilized. In a statement, Erdem said, "Hypertension continues, this blood pressure continues to damage his brain, kidneys, and especially his heart, and the risk of heart attack and brain hemorrhage is permanent. Our hope and expectation is that this process concludes without having lasting effects on Mr. Mahir's health."

The arrest of Polat despite his health problems has been a topic of debate before. The IMM Deputy Secretary General mentioned his health issues in his statement to the police. Most recently, he stated that he had undergone angiography two weeks ago and has six stents, adding, "In addition, I have two blocked arteries." He mentioned that a new angiography is planned for two weeks later and that his treatment is ongoing, stating that he is on medication. He also indicated that due to having had thyroid cancer, regular PET scans are being conducted to monitor and treat any potential cancer emerging elsewhere in his body. In addition to this, he mentioned that he lives a life connected to a device due to sleep apnea. He also stated that he has hypertension and diabetes.

Before the local elections on March 31, 2024, the "City Reconciliation" strategy announced by the DEM Party led to the arrest of IMM Deputy Secretary General Mahir Polat, Şişli Mayor Resul Şahan, and Reform Institute President Mehmet Ali Çalışkan. In this investigation, the defendants are accused of employing members/sympathizers of terrorist organizations within the IMM-affiliated Istanbul Planning Agency and BIMTAŞ.