Haci Orman, Chairman of BEKSAV (Foundation of Science, Education, Aesthetics, Culture and Art Researches), who was kidnapped and arrested on 31 January and was released two days later by the court, has made a statement about his experience through a press conference at the building of the foundation on 7 February.
The day before the conference, the police took BEKSAV under blockade and implemented terror upon the activists of the foundation. Beside the harassment and persecution against the activists on the streets of Kadikoy, the police tried to arrest Yesim Sönmez, member of the Executive Committee of BEKSAV and Ergun Demir, activist of Theatre Imge, by forcing them to lie down in the middle of the street. When Sonmez and Demir unmasked them by shouting out what was happening there, the police tried to present them as "thieves and purse-snatchers", but received the great reaction of the people. They had to step back when the people defended the BEKSAV activists and hindered the police.
The police blockade around BEKSAV continued on 7 February when the press conference would take place. On the other hand, although Haci Orman was released by the court just a few days ago, a capture warrant was issued for him by the court.
Haci Orman was not present in the press conference for this reason, while the written statement prepared by him was read out by Necati Abay, the spokesperson of TGDP (Solidarity Platform with the Imprisoned Journalists). Abay also stated that the responsible of any unpleasant event that could happen to Haci Orman would be the Istanbul Police. Zuhal Yildirim from the executive committee of BEKSAV also made speech at the press conference expressing that the attacks against BEKSAV have increased and their activists and visitors were bothered by the police blockade around BEKSAV for the last two days.
Haci Orman's wife and his lawyer Keles Ozturk also made speeches at the conference. Many famous intellectuals and democratic organisations gave support to the conference.