Esila participated in a student protest on the 8th of April. That same night, the police came to arrest her at her home. She wasn’t there, but she informed them of her location. After that, she was unlawfully detained at the Bakırköy prison. Esila suffers from a kidney condition and wasn’t given her medicine during her detention. Her health declined while in prison. She studied photography in Ghent and was at risk of losing her scholarship as she was unable to attend her exams on the 20th of April. She was released on the 15th of May 2025.
Letter from photography student Esila
21.04.2025,
Bakırköy prison
[…]
I only have two days worth left of my kidney medication.
The medication I have been using for my skin for the last six months hasn’t been given to me in thirteen days.
The treatement I need to complete within the next twelve months has been interrupted.
[…]
Please don’t stop speaking up for us.
I still have exams to take, photography projects to complete and poems to write about the nice things in life.
02.05.2025
Bakırköy prison
Hello to all,
I would have liked to say that my heart is still beating outside even though time here passes slowly. But truth be told, I am sometimes overtaken by hopelessness. Moreover, knowing that I’m here undeservedly pains me deeply.
I’m grateful to all who have stood by me so far by sending good wishes, letters and prayers. Your support is a loud reminder of the future awaiting me beyond these walls. As such, I can cultivate hope.
Every morning, I read Nazım’s poem “Bu memleket bizim” [This land is ours] and I know that, in spite of all sorts of difficulties, thousands of beauties can exist on this land.
I keep my faith in justice being made shortly. Just as you, I am waiting for my release with patience and hope.
Hoping to see you all on the outside,
Esila Ayık
İSTASYON editions EN 