My Dear Citizens, Beloved Youth, Precious Children, and My Dear Brothers and Sisters Whose Hearts Beat with Justice and Love for Our Country,

Hello.

You have come together because you demand justice, democracy, and freedom, and because you want to live with dignity. With your smiles, energy, and common sense, you have become an example and a source of hope for everyone.

I sincerely thank each and every one of you. Thank you, and may you always be well.

The issue for you and the millions across the country who have risen against injustice is, of course, not Ekrem Ä°mamoÄźlu. I know this very well.

The issue is the country. It is about justice, democracy, and freedom. It is about education, production, sharing, rights, and the rule of law.

The issue is the future of the country.

That is why the youth are at the forefront—because they are the ones who feel the most anxiety about the future. They are the ones who feel most acutely that their lives are slipping away.

The youth are questioning who has stolen their youth, and they see only one person in front of them.

That person has made no effort to understand the youth of this country. He has not even paid enough attention to the young people who voted for him.

He has only tried to divide the youth and pit them against each other. That person is still doing the same today. Because to win elections, he always needs to declare someone an enemy. But as a nation, we need brotherhood and solidarity. Most of all, we need the unity of the youth.

Young people love competition, but they want it to be fair. They want whoever wins to win with merit.

Regardless of their political views, all young people have a sense of justice and fairness. That is why it is the youth who are raising their voices the most, filling the squares. I am proud of all the youth.

The youth are telling Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan, "Respect the people, do not interfere with the will of the nation."

The youth are telling Recep Tayyip ErdoÄźan, "Don’t cheat, compete fairly."

But ErdoÄźan turns a deaf ear to these voices. He issues one unjust and unlawful order after another. The harm he causes places new economic burdens on our nation. Even though he is responsible for everything, ErdoÄźan never takes responsibility.

For years, many have been blamed for economic crises:

Foreign powers, interest lobbies, banks, market vendors, farmers, even grocers and bakers…

But not once has this government or the man at its head taken responsibility for the economic crises.

Due to unjust arrests and practices reminiscent of martial law, 40% of the Central Bank’s reserves—$26 billion—vanished in just three days. Yet, without shame, they blame this crisis on the democratic reactions of the youth and the people exercising their right to protest for justice.

Their goal is clear: to force our nation into submission through oppression, tyranny, and black propaganda.

They will not succeed. They will not succeed. They will not succeed!

This nation, which has never bowed to foreign powers, will not bow to those who flee from elections or steal the national will.

My dear friends,

I am speaking to you from a cell as vast and boundless as my love for this country. The stone walls and iron bars around me may be insurmountable obstacles for criminals or those who regret their actions. But for me, these bars are meaningless—they do not exist!

Because I have committed no crime. As a mayor, I am not ashamed of what I have done; I am proud.

I am the leader of a municipality that has been audited 1,300 times over six years by various state institutions and cleared every time. I am a leader who has emerged unscathed from 48 administrative and 51 personal investigations.

Now they claim to have found crimes that state inspectors could not uncover for years, based on the baseless statements of secret and false witnesses.

To them, I say, "Get out of here!"

In this fabricated case, it is not I who must prove my innocence. It is ErdoÄźan, who has turned the judiciary into a tool of his orders and is trying to sideline me by hiding behind secret witnesses, who must prove his innocence.

From the "Fool Case" to the investigation into our daycare centers, from the forced cancellation of my 30-year-old diploma to the so-called corruption case, ErdoÄźan must prove that these actions against me are not part of a politically motivated, dirty operation.

With every move against me, ErdoÄźan shows that he is someone who avoids elections and fears his opponent. These dishonorable actions embarrass his supporters and disappoint those who trust him.

Any government that abuses its powers, steps outside the bounds of law and democracy, and uses its authority to maintain its existence is weak and pitiful.

Such governments begin by eliminating their opponents and suppressing all dissent, eventually turning the country into an outdated dynasty ruled by sham elections.

Our Republic, founded through the wisdom and courage of our nation under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal AtatĂĽrk, is under such a threat today.

But just as before, our nation will overcome these impositions and coups, proving once again that the only authority to determine Türkiye’s direction is the will of the people.

And it will happen again.

Those who rely on the power of the state they have seized, rather than the will of the people, will lose again. Because standing against them are you, the people!

Together, you have thwarted the government’s plans. You have stood up for your rights, your future, and your freedom. Just as our founder and savior Gazi Mustafa Kemal AtatĂĽrk said, you have declared, "Freedom is my character."

Just as our National Anthem says, "You overflowed beyond the horizons," proving once again what a great nation you are. I am proud of you.

My dear brothers and sisters,

We are now making a very big, very strong beginning. We will not bow to tyranny or oppression. Through democratic means and fair struggle, we will consign this oppressive regime to history.

I embrace you all with love, friendship, and longing.
Eid Mubarak to you all.
Stay well.