Facing aggravated life sentence and released to house arrest in his first hearing after serving three months in prison, politician and writer Mahmut Alınak has been made to wear an ankle monitor.

 

"I resisted against handcuffs at the courthouse and security directorate, I refused to be handcuffed," Alınak has said and added, "They have started taking revenge for this by placing the bracelet around my ankle."

 

The ankle monitor reminds him of the neck rings that the slaves were made to wear by colonialists in Africa and Americas, says Alınak.

 

Arrested on February 17, 2020 and released to house arrest on May 13, 2020, Alınak faces charges of "bringing the territory of a state under the sovereignty of a foreign state entirely or partly; disrupting the unity of the state; separating a part of the territory under the sovereignty of the state from its administration; and undermining the independence of the state."

 

"They used to put rings around the necks of slaves in history. Colonialists put rings of slavery around the necks of blacks in Africa and Americas. What was slaves deemed worthy of back then is now done to us.

 

"We are the modern slaves of this country. We reject this. I resisted against handcuffs at the courthouse and security directorate, I refused to be handcuffed. With this bracelet put around my ankle, they have now started taking revenge for this.

 

"When I was in prison, I could - at least - see some sunlight in the yard of my cell. But, now, in my home, where I have been confined, I will not be able to get even a single ray of sunlight. Because it is forbidden to take even a single step outside the home.

 

"All these are done to intimidate me, but it is them who know best that I will not be intimidated or take a step back from what I think.

 

"We have historical responsibilities towards our people, towards the oppressed humanity. We are ready to pay for this as intellectuals."