The UdK Berlin is concerned about the recent events in Turkey and condemns the unjustified and arbitrary sentencing of Osman Kavala and Çiğdem Mater to life imprisonment without parole on 25 April 2022.

On 25 April 2022, Osman Kavala was unjustly and arbitrarily sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Among the seven co-accused is also Çiğdem Mater. Mater was sentenced to 18 years and immediately taken away. Both Mater and Kavala are long-term friends of our former fellow (Graduate School of the UdK Berlin) Didem Pekün. Çiğdem Mater is the co-producer of Didem Peküns film project "Disturbed Earth", which she developed at the UdK Berlin. 

With the visual-political poster campaign initiated by Pekün and shown as part of the Graduate School exhibition at Galerie Wedding, we have stood and continue to stand alongside art institutions across Europe which support the release of Osman Kavala, Çiğdem Mater and the fellow accused. 

The UdK Berlin condemns the clearly politically motivated sentences and stands in solidarity with those affected and their loved ones. We join the demands for the immediate release of the cultural workers and for a return to the principles of the rule of law in Turkey.