Unlawful Detention of BİRTEK-SEN President Mehmet Türkmen
Solicitor Tugay Bek has stated that BİRTEK-SEN President Mehmet Türkmen, who was arrested about a month ago, is being unlawfully held in prison. Bek emphasised that workers who provided testimony confirmed that Türkmen had committed no crime.
Türkmen had participated in a workers’ resistance movement in the Gaziantep region, where around 3,000 workers across 20 workplaces protested for wage increases. As a representative of BİRTEK-SEN, he supported the workers in their struggle.
Despite this, a criminal court judge recently ruled to continue his detention at the request of the prosecutor.
Why Was Mehmet Türkmen Arrested?
Mehmet Türkmen was taken into custody for leading and supporting workers at Başpınar Organised Industrial Zone, where employees were demanding a livable wage. His role in advocating for workers’ rights was used as justification for his imprisonment.
As part of the investigation, the prosecutor instructed the police to take statements from five workers each from two companies—Şireci and Yalçın Kardeşler Tekstil—that had participated in the labour protests. So far, authorities have taken testimony from eight workers, all of whom were reportedly chosen by the employers.
Workers’ Testimonies: No Crime Was Committed
The workers who testified made the following key points:
• They collectively decided to stop working due to dissatisfaction with their wage increases.
• Neither Mehmet Türkmen nor BİRTEK-SEN instructed them to strike.
• Türkmen and the union only visited the protesting workers to show support.
• During these visits, Türkmen made speeches but did not encourage or incite workers to take action.
• He did not commit any acts that could be considered obstruction of work or incitement to crime.
Call for Immediate Release
Despite the lack of evidence against him, Mehmet Türkmen remains behind bars. Solicitor Tugay Bek has called for his immediate release, stating that his continued detention is both unjust and unlawful.
The case raises serious concerns about the suppression of labour rights and trade union activities in Turkey, as well as the criminalisation of those advocating for fair wages and workers’ rights.
