Message from Akın Atalay: They couldn’t silence us

Our paper’s Executive Board Chair Akın Atalay, Attorney-at-Law, who has been remanded in custody on risk of flight grounds as part of the investigation aimed at silencing our paper after having returned voluntarily from abroad, sent a message from Silivri Prison via the CHP MPs Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Selina Doğan and Mevlüt Dudu who went to visit him. Atalay said, “Taking a look at the workings of the investigation against us as a whole, that is taking a look at the director, actors and supporting cast of the investigation and the charges and questions asked, the first reply to come to mind is: “What are you on?” The aim of this operation is to hand Cumhuriyet over to good boys and girls.”

Atalay’s message is as follows:

“There is a stock reply on social media when faced with nonsensical, ludicrous comments whatever the subject: “What are you on?” Taking a look at the workings of the investigation against us as a whole, that is taking a look at the director, actors and supporting cast of the investigation and the charges and questions asked, the first reply to come to mind is: “What are you on?” By now, everybody has realised and seen that the basic aim of this operation is either to fully silence Cumhuriyet newspaper or else to hand it over to collaborators who will be good boys and girls. But they have not succeeded, and will not do so. Our remaining colleagues are bringing out the paper in a way that does it proud or even better than before. We follow them with pride from here. We know that the Cumhuriyet newspaper will forever continue to function as a newspaper. Nobody whatsoever, however powerful they consider themselves to be, can subdue this newspaper. We know that this ruse has come to naught. It will not be long before we are back among you and taking our paper to newer, better heights all together. Let there be no doubt that Cumhuriyet newspaper will not shirk its tasks in the construction of a democratic, secular, libertarian Turkish society. Looking forward to seeing you very soon. Goodbye”