Buğra Gökçe denied funeral leave for uncle while in detention

Buğra Gökçe, the President of the Istanbul Planning Agency (İPA) currently detained in Silivri Prison, was denied permission to attend the funeral of his uncle, Süleyman Alim Gölge.

Gökçe’s lawyers requested leave for him to attend the burial at Ankara Karşıyaka Cemetery. However, the request was rejected by prison authorities on the grounds that an uncle is not considered a “first-degree relative” under current regulations.

Gökçe expressed his grief and frustration via a social media message written from the prison's detention area. He criticized the restrictive rules that prevented him from attending the ceremony and noted that he learned of his uncle's passing during a court recess.