Imprisoned Turkish filmmaker Cigdem Mater who recently received confirmation of her 18-year prison sentence in the Gezi Park protests trial, said she believes the judges and prosecutors handling the case are fully aware of the lack of evidence supporting the accusations against her.
In a statement where she expressed her frustration to the unanimous decision by the Court of Cassation’s 3rd Criminal Chamber, she said: “I can only hope that the five senior judges who signed off on this unanimous decision do not subject anyone else to what they have done to us.”
She went on to reflect on the broader implications of the case, emphasizing that the injustices she and others have faced are not isolated incidents.
“We are ordinary examples of how reality can be distorted, lies can be considered truth, and decay can become commonplace. This is not just about us. It can happen to anyone, and it will happen to others,” she said.
Mater also highlighted specific examples from the verdict to illustrate her point. She pointed out that the decision referenced physical surveillance records and photographs to support the claim that she attended a clandestine meeting. However, she clarified that she was in another city on that date, participating in a public discussion about cinema.
Throughout her statement, Mater emphasized that the lives of those involved in the case have been profoundly affected by the legal proceedings. She called for a sober reflection on the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are talking about human lives, not a joke. There is nothing to laugh about.”
In conclusion, Mater urged the five judges who signed the decision to avoid subjecting anyone else to the same ordeal. She stated, “We are at peace with ourselves, knowing that we have committed no crime. They, on the other hand, have implicated an entire country in a crime in the name of the ‘Turkish Nation.’ I leave them to confront their own conscience, without their judicial robes.”
Gerçek News