Aynur’s son, who lives in Turkey, lost contact with his mother in May 2016, after Aynur underwent surgery for cancer. The last time he heard from his parents, Aynur’s son did not speak directly with his mother but with his father, Tohti Emet, who is unfortunately also believed to be detained. She was too weak to take any calls. Aynur’s son did not call his parents again because he was afraid of causing trouble for them.
A few years later, through some connections he had in Xinjiang, Aynur’s son was told that his mother had been arrested and sentenced to imprisonment. He does not know the official reasons for the arrest or the length of her sentence, nor does he know how his mother is and whether she has access to any medication that she may require after her surgery. Aynur’s son believes that his mother was arrested solely because she travelled to Turkey to visit some family members. He has lost all connections with family and friends in Xinjiang since 2020.