Following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" announced to the public on 27 February, one of the topics that came to the agenda is ill prisoners. Families demand the release of the prisoners as soon as possible by making a legal arrangement. Hikmet Akdoğan, mother of Abdulkadir Akdoğan who was arrested after being detained in Konyaaltı district of Antalya on 16 November 2016 and sentenced to life imprisonment, referred to the situation of her son and called for his release.

 

HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE PRISONER

 

Akdoğan, who has difficulty in walking due to the platinum in his foot, has toxic goitre and stomach diseases. Mother Hikmet Akdoğan stated that her son was subjected to heavy torture when he was arrested in Bolu High Security Prison and said that he has health problems due to this.  Hikmet Akdoğan, who lives in Gever district of Colemêrg (Hakkari), stated that her son, who was held in prisons in Antalya, Izmir and Bolu respectively after his arrest, was deliberately transferred to cities far away from them and added: "This is persecution. My son is suffering from severe health problems due to his hunger strike against torture and persecution. He is extremely weak, my heart hurts every time I see him."

 

HE SAW HIS SON 5 TIMES IN 9 YEARS

 

Hikmet Akdoğan pointed out that he had been able to see his son only 5 times in 9 years due to the long distance and demanded that his son be transferred to a city close to them. Hikmet Akdoğan stated that they insist on peace despite all the pain they have suffered and said, "The lack of concrete steps taken by the state authorities causes concerns and worries about the process. We do not want the families of guerrillas, soldiers and police officers to shed tears anymore. For this, the authorities need to take steps."

 

Hikmet Akdoğan criticised the fact that the state and the government have still not taken any steps despite the PKK's decision to "end the work" and added: "President Tayyip Erdoğan needs to take concrete steps regarding the process. A legal arrangement needs to be made for the PKK members and political prisoners who will lay down their arms and come. With the legal arrangement to be made, mothers should be reunited with their sons. This also includes the physical freedom of Mr Öcalan. He should also be free so that the process can be carried out. Mothers like me who are in favour of peace also agree with this idea."

 

MA / Mazlum Engindeniz