One of the hundreds of young people unlawfully imprisoned for participating in peaceful demonstrations, 26-year-old Dilara Kara joined the protests that began as a general act of dissent against the possible arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, whose university diploma was annulled as he was preparing to run as the presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Kara, an employee at Garanti Bank Technology, took part in a public march in Kadıköy to oppose the lawlessness of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and the increasing repression being imposed in every sphere of life. On the morning of March 24, she was detained in a police raid and held in custody for a day at the Political Branch of the Vatan Police Department. She was then taken to Çağlayan Courthouse, where the court initially ruled for her release under judicial control. However, following the prosecutor’s intervention, this decision was reversed, and she was unlawfully imprisoned. Kara was transferred to Block C-8 of the Marmara (Silivri) Closed Women’s Prison, where she spoke to ANF about her experience.

We marched peacefully

Kara, who has been imprisoned for nearly a week, emphasized that she joined the public march that took place in Kadıköy on March 22, 2025, not only in protest of the unlawful treatment of Ekrem Imamoğlu, but also to demand the establishment of a new country based on equality. Kara stated that she could no longer remain silent in the face of deepening injustice and said: "As a citizen, I felt a sense of responsibility. I thought something had to be done in response to what was happening, and that is why I joined the public march in Kadıköy. Even though they now cite the so-called governor’s ban as justification, no such ban was ever announced or communicated that day. We marched peacefully, chanting slogans, from Bahariye Street to Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Park without encountering any problems, simply to express our reaction."

We were held for hours without food or water 

Dilara Kara recounted how she was awakened on the morning of 24 March by a police raid on her home in Ataşehir. The police, she said, did not even allow her to notify her lawyer, ransacked the house, and even attempted to enter her room while she was getting dressed, despite the presence of a female officer. She noted that although she was handcuffed normally when leaving her home, the cuffs were later placed behind her back at the Vatan Police Department to stage a scene and manipulate public perception.

Kara was held in the Political Branch of the Vatan Police Department for a full day before being transferred to the Çağlayan Courthouse, where she said the mistreatment continued in the holding cells located seven floors underground. Kara described how police arbitrarily obstructed access to her lawyers: “We were left without food or water for hours. Every time we asked to speak with our lawyers, the request was denied. One officer from the Counterterrorism Unit initially informed us that we were being released under judicial control. But two hours later, the same officer returned to say that the prosecutor had reversed the decision, and we were now being referred for arrest." She added that the group of detainees was divided into three courtrooms. "I gave my statement at the 3rd Criminal Court of Peace. To my shock, I later learned that I was being imprisoned for allegedly violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. I felt an overwhelming sense of anger at the ruling. It made me realize, once again, how essential justice is—like food and water—and how vital it was that I had marched for it." Kara reflected on her initial fears: "My first thoughts were of my family and my job. I was worried—this was my first time in prison. My only solace was that I was not alone. Alongside me were students and journalists who had been targeted by the same unlawful repression."

We refused the guards’ demand for standing roll call

Kara explained that although they were initially told they would be transferred to the Bakırköy Closed Women’s Prison, they eventually found themselves taken to Marmara (Silivri) Prison. She shared that her greatest fear had been being subjected to a strip search, but fortunately, such treatment did not occur. Kara was placed in a ward within Block C-8, where she noted that prison guards attempted to impose a standing roll call during morning counts. She said: "We reacted strongly against this unlawful practice, and in the face of our resistance, they were forced to back down.” Despite being imprisoned in an attempt to silence and intimidate her, Kara said she had only grown stronger through the experience. She added, “I have built beautiful friendships here. There are many others like me who have been unlawfully imprisoned."

I have only grown stronger through this process

Kara stated that this is not a time for silence or retreat and continued: "The only reason they detained us was to intimidate the people who took to the streets. But this intimidation must not work. Today, more than ever, is the time to intensify the struggle. One must never cower in the face of injustice and tyranny. If they thought they could silence me by imprisoning me, they were wrong—I have only grown stronger through this process. We must not forget that our strength lies in our will. While politicians chased after publicity, we filled the streets with genuine determination. I have no more doubts now, because I know I am right—and with that sense of righteousness, I will continue the struggle."