A Call to Turkish Authorities Regarding Mahir Polat As people who greatly value the history and cultural heritage of Istanbul, we are deeply concerned about the deteriorating health of Mahir Polat @mhrpolat , manager of the İBB Heritage project, who was recently detained. He was taken into custody on March 19, 2025, and sent to Silivri Prison. Mr. Polat’s career boasts remarkable expertise and achievements in the field of cultural heritage preservation. For many years, he has been involved in academic research and on-site projects, playing significant roles in the protection of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman-era artifacts. His efforts in restoring the city walls in the Historical Peninsula, safeguarding iconic structures such as the Basilica Cistern for future generations, and documenting the findings from archaeological excavations all attest to his expertise in this domain and his dedication to Istanbul. Mr. Polat is recognized not only as an administrator but also as a competent professional in the fields of history and archaeology. However, it is alarming that Mr. Polat is being held in prison at a time when he is facing serious health issues. It is known that he has a heart condition that has previously required multiple surgeries and demands regular medical follow-up. On March 27, 2025, it was reported that his health deteriorated in prison and he was taken to the hospital. These circumstances indicate that his continued detention poses serious risks from both a human rights and a health perspective. Therefore, as a humanitarian request, we call upon the Turkish government and the relevant authorities to: - Urgently arrange a transfer of Mr. Polat to a fully equipped medical facility for a comprehensive evaluation of his health condition, - Reevaluate his detention status, considering his health needs, and explore alternative measures such as house arrest or judicial control. In the name of justice and human rights, we hope that Mr. Polat will regain his freedom and restore his health as soon as possible. #mahirpolat