Serkan Erin, the founder of the STELP relief organization, has recently been arrested in Iran and sentenced to 10 years in prison. This news has significantly impacted his wife and friends in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, leading to widespread reactions.
Reactions from German Officials
Jam Özdemir, the head of the state government of Baden-Württemberg from the Greens party, and Thomas Strobl, the head of the parliament of this state, reacted in a joint statement to the conviction and arrest of Serkan Erin. The statement reads: "His conviction is shocking news for his wife and many of his friends." Özdemir, who is of Turkish descent himself, announced that he will work for the immediate release of this activist.
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Reactions on Social Media
The arrest of Serkan Erin has also faced numerous reactions on social media. Thousands of Instagram users, including artistic and sports figures, expressed their concern and protest. Timo Hildebrand, former goalkeeper of Stuttgart and a close friend of Erin, said in his message: "Brother, I love you!" and in a conversation referred to the difficulty of the situation: "I don't want to imagine what 10 years in a prison in Iran means."
The STELP relief organization also described the court's ruling against Serkan as "shocking" and emphasized that this ruling does not correspond to the realities of the case. The organization is closely cooperating with Turkish authorities to ensure the safety of Serkan Erin and has emphasized its efforts to bring him back home.
Trip to Iran and Communication Cut-off
Serkan Erin, a 42-year-old activist, traveled to Iran on June 23, 2025, intending to distribute donated aid from Germany. However, after entering Iran, his family's communication with him was cut off. He had emphasized before the trip that he had no security or communication tools with him and was entering Iran with only a simple backpack.
This situation has not only worried Serkan's family and friends but has also attracted the attention and support of the international community. The German Foreign Ministry is aware of this issue and, due to Serkan's Turkish citizenship, has delegated the necessary follow-ups to Turkish authorities.
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