Mahir Polat: "I have been someone who has been going from hospital to hospital since I was 21 years old."

A house arrest decision had been issued for Polat during the day.

Mahir Polat, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), made statements to the press in the evening after his detention status at Marmara Prison was converted to house arrest on Wednesday. Polat had been arrested on March 23 in the investigation into the "city consensus" regarding IMM. Polat, who has suffered from severe hypertension since the age of 21, had been transferred to the hospital twice from prison and underwent angiography during the last hospital transfer. After the angiography, Polat was sent back to Silivri Prison. Polat, who had undergone angiography two weeks before his arrest, has six stents placed in his heart vessels. "I am someone who goes from hospital to hospital," Polat said, "I am still shocked to see this. I have been someone with severe resistance and hypertension in my family history, going from hospital to hospital since I was 21. Working was very good for us, and we worked a lot, we produced a lot." After greeting his relatives waiting in front of his house, he expressed his gratitude to all his supporters: "This is really a longing for a Turkey where the conscientious people of Turkey from every background, every party, come together, understanding each other more peacefully and striving for this. I truly believe from the heart that everything will get better."

Emphasizing that he has always believed in Turkey's "conscience," the Deputy Secretary General of IMM stated, "...but what I feel right now is beyond all of that. Therefore, we will work harder and show more effort. We all owe a lot to this country." With numerous health issues and calls for his release since he was arrested on March 23, a house arrest decision was made for Mahir Polat, Deputy Secretary General of IMM. His lawyer, Erkam Erdem, informed Euronews Turkish that "Hypertension continues, this hypertension continues to damage his brain, kidneys, and especially his heart, and the risk of heart attack and brain hemorrhage is permanent." Following the reactions, it was reported that Polat would be sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution on April 4. On the same day, Polat was taken to the hospital for a transfer report. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç also stated: "The mentioned detainee has been transferred to the hospital in the Marmara Penal Institution Campus as of today for the determination of his health status, and following the examinations conducted here, it has been decided to transfer him to the Forensic Medicine Institution in accordance with the Health Board Decision. Throughout all these processes, the detainee's entire controls and treatments are carried out in accordance with the reports of the doctors providing care. Claims to the contrary do not reflect the truth." Later, Tunç said on April 7, "The Forensic Medicine Institution will provide a report with the necessary examination. If the report is approved, a release may be granted." Polat's lawyer, Erkam Erdem, also stated that day to Euronews Turkish, "I see the release as possible, and I believe that Mr. Mahir will be released." On Tuesday morning, the Forensic Medicine Institution requested additional examinations and tests. For this reason, Polat was taken from prison to a "fully-fledged" hospital. However, the ATK did not make a decision on the matter. Erdem reported that a holter device was placed on Polat to monitor his blood pressure for 24 hours. Additionally, Polat underwent an ultrasound and a heart and anxiety examination. On Wednesday, a house arrest decision was made for Polat. During this process, he was repeatedly taken back and forth between the hospital and the prison in handcuffs. Speaking to Euronews Turkish, Polat's lawyer Erkam Erdem said, "We are preparing for release; a decision has been made for his release from prison with the condition of not leaving his residence by wearing an electronic bracelet. The text of the decision has not yet reached us."