Muhammed Orhan, known for his smiling resistance to the Turkish government’s alleged electoral interference in Van (Wan), has been released from Van T Type Prison. He was warmly welcomed by a large crowd, including his family and legal team. “I always knew I was right. It was a just resistance, and we have claimed our rights,” Orhan declared confidently after his release.
Orhan’s arrest occurred during the two days of protests that followed the Van Provincial Election Board’s initial decision to nullify the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party candidate Abdullah Zeydan’s electoral victory. These protests were in response to the perceived interference and manipulation of electoral results by the ruling party and the subsequent legal actions. Orhan’s arrest and the conditions surrounding it have become symbolic of the broader issues of democratic rights and political repression in the region.
Although he was only detained for 12 days, Orhan described his prison experience as feeling like years, with strained issues including access to basic needs and constant isolation.
Reflecting on his time in detention, Orhan remained upbeat, his iconic smile serving as a symbol of hope and defiance. “Even during my arrest and detention, I maintained high spirits, confident of our cause,” he explained. His resilience has not only drawn local support but has also resonated internationally, becoming a symbol of the broader struggle for political freedom and human rights in Turkey. “Thank you to everyone who has supported us and the resistance,” he said, expressed gratitude to his supporters worldwide.