Air Force Academy Cadet Enes Zeren: “At that time, I was only a military student”

The struggle for justice by the Air Force Academy Cadets who were sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of participating in the so-called July 15 coup attempt and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order continues. One of those cadets, Muhammed Enes Zeren, who has been deprived of his freedom unjustly and unlawfully for more than seven years, stated:

“... I have been in prison since July 20, 2016. The Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court sentenced each of us to aggravated life imprisonment on the charge of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Their justification was that we had knowingly and willingly participated in the events. ... We were taken out of the camp at 00:15 completely unaware of everything that was happening. No court can accuse me of knowingly and willingly participating. For years, I waited hoping that my case would be overturned by the regional appellate court or by the Supreme Court, but it has been nearly eight years. Neither the appellate court nor the Supreme Court overturned the ruling. On the contrary, they upheld it on the same grounds. At that time, I was only a military student. I still cannot understand how I could be given an aggravated life sentence under such accusations. ...”

Following the July 15 “theater,” tens of thousands of soldiers were dismissed, and thousands were sentenced to life imprisonment. The situation of military students—imprisoned and sentenced to aggravated life terms at what should have been the springtime of their lives—has left deep wounds on the public conscience.

Cadet Muhammed Enes Zeren also exposes what he sees as the lawlessness prevailing in the country with the following question:

“... I watch the news every day: murderers, drug dealers, rapists, and thieves are being released, while I am given this sentence. Is this justice?”

* This article was compiled in 2023 based on a letter written from prison by Air Force cadet Enes Zeren.