MERSİN – Stressing that the condition of ill prisoner Devrim Ayık has worsened, his mother Hülya Ayık said, “If you extend the hand of peace, you have to take steps. First and foremost, ill prisoners must be released.”
Devrim Ayık, 76 percent disabled, who was detained with 13 of his friends in Izmir in 2015 while distributing Free People's Magazine, was arrested by the Criminal Judicature of Peace on the allegation of “terrorist organization membership”.
Ayık was released from Antalya Prison in 2018 due to his deteriorating health condition but he was arrested again in January 2021 and was placed in Antalya S-Type Closed Prison.
Ayık underwent surgery twice for Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed) and had part of his intestines removed, lost his sight in his right eye and his left eye is 32 degrees myopic due to an accident in 2006.
Ayık also has 30 percent hearing loss in his left ear and 50 percent hearing loss in his right ear. Eskişehir City Hospital gave him a report stating that “he cannot stay in prison”. Ayık's health deteriorated and he was taken to Antalya Training and Research Hospital on 5 March 2025. However, the report prepared by the hospital board stated, “His illness is chronic. It requires follow-up and treatment. There is no severe illness or aging. There is no need to postpone the execution”.
Hülya Ayık had a meeting with her son on 7 May and she stated that his condition worsened. Hülya Ayık stated that the wounds on Ayık's back deepened, his colour faded and he became weaker. Hülya Ayık reacted the report prepared by the hospital board stating, “There is no need to postpone the execution” and said, “This is really an inhuman thing.”
‘GIVE VOICE TO PRISONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’
Stressing that the approach towards ill prisoners is far from sincerity, Hülya Ayık added, “If you want to live in peace with the Kurdish people, if you want to extend the hand of peace, then you will take steps. Devrim is an example, there are many others like Devrim. By not releasing them, you show how insincere you are in peace. First and foremost, ill prisoners must be released. Keeping an ill person in prison is not a victory. We demand the immediate release of all ill prisoners. We ask the Ministry of Justice to release ill prisoners as soon as possible. We ask the Ministry of Health to provide all treatment for ill prisoners. Every human being has the right to life. Do not take this right to life away from anyone. For this reason, we want the prisons to be given a voice as soon as possible and the way for their release should be paved.”
MA / Abdulkadir Ayten