Representatives of political parties and trade unions gathered outside the Karşıyaka İZBAN station in İzmir to protest the arrest of labour organiser Başaran Aksu. The demonstration, which included a march and public statement, also voiced opposition to the detention of Mehmet Türkmen, Esra Işık, and, the mining union legal expert Doğukan Akan.
During the protest, a message from Aksu was read aloud. In it, he announced that he would begin a hunger strike in solidarity with Doruk mine workers.
Speaking on behalf of the İzmir branches platform of the public workers’ union confederation, Hamdi Çalık described a period marked by deepening poverty and intensifying repression. He argued that authorities are escalating pressure out of fear of growing social resistance, adding that arrests targeting environmentalists, journalists, and those speaking out against injustice would not succeed in silencing dissent.
A statement delivered by Umut-Sen member Hasan Hüseyin Yavuz drew a sharp contrast between mining companies and what he described as “ecocidal projects,” and communities defending their land and livelihoods from İzmir to Akbelen. He said the judiciary had once again demonstrated alignment with corporate interests.
Yavuz also underlined that Işık has been imprisoned for nearly two weeks for defending her land against environmental destruction, while Türkmen remains detained for organising textile workers. He added that Aksu was arrested for supporting miners and rural communities, and that Akan was detained after criticising Aksu’s arrest, marking an escalation in repression.
“The circle of oppression is widening,” Yavuz said, arguing that not only protest but even defending those who resist is increasingly being criminalised.
The statement concluded that the arrests represent a broader attempt to suppress the collective will of workers and rural communities. Protesters called for the immediate release of all four detainees, vowing to continue their struggle against what they described as exploitation, environmental destruction, and injustice.