Imprisoned with his father for 'doing good': 'We fell into prison while trying to do good'

In a tragic turn of events in Turkey, a 42-year-old man, identified only as A.Ü., and his 71-year-old father, a painter, found themselves imprisoned for two and a half years, victims of a crime they did not commit. Their ordeal began in 2020 in Polatlı, Ankara, when a colleague asked to use their IBAN details, claiming his own bank accounts were blocked. Trusting their friend, they complied, handing over their information. Unbeknownst to them, their IBANs were subsequently used for fraudulent activities, including online gambling and mediumship scams.

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My life turned upside down. After spending time in prison, I went back to jail two months later because of these IBANs. My son and I were in the same ward, in the same prison.

The legal system, however, did not initially distinguish between the perpetrators and the unwitting participants. Both A.Ü. and his father were prosecuted and subsequently imprisoned, spending a year together in the same ward at the Eskişehir H Tipi Closed Penitentiary. The younger A.Ü.'s life was shattered, his father, who suffers from chronic conditions like KOAH, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, endured immense hardship. The situation only began to shift when a voice recording from a victim, implicating the actual suspect, was presented in court. This led to the arrest of the primary suspect and the eventual release of A.Ü. and his father.

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They threatened me, saying, 'Look, if anything happens related to us, if you tell anyone, if you go to the police, we'll start with your grandchildren, then your son, and finally come for you. Blood will be spilled.' Because I was afraid for my children and grandchildren, I finally said, 'If that's the case, fine.' I gave them my bank cards and PINs.

However, their freedom is precarious. Back in Eskişehir, trying to rebuild their lives, they are haunted by the prospect of further legal battles. There are still 20 open criminal cases against them related to the fraud, with victims claiming approximately 400,000 Turkish Lira in damages. A.Ü. faces the possibility of up to 20 years in prison and is deeply concerned about how they will ever repay such a sum. His father recounted the terrifying threats they received, warning them against reporting the friend, which ultimately led them to comply out of fear for their children and grandchildren. This case highlights a deeply concerning issue where individuals can become entangled in criminal activities through seemingly innocuous requests, facing severe consequences and the daunting task of proving their innocence while burdened by financial and legal repercussions.

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I have KOAH, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. I am waiting for help.