Prisoners in the Şanlıurfa (Riha) T-type Prison have decided to forgo their right to phone calls until the Turkish state allows Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan to meet face-to-face with his lawyers and family.
The hunger strike launched by political prisoners is on its 121st day in Turkey’s prisons and the 25th group of strikers has now joined the action.
Meanwhile, as the strike launched in Makhmour refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan reaches its 100th day, another hunger strike in Greece’s Lavrio camp continues on its 83rd day.
Öcalan spoke on the phone to his brother Mehmet in order to confirm his health condition, but the conversation was interrupted before any clear information could be revealed.
In protest, prisoners from the Şanlıurfa T-type Closed Prison will not use their right to a phone call until Öcalan is allowed to meet face-to-face with his lawyers and family. Two prisoners announced their decision via a call with their families.
Hayam Bulut spoke to his brother Serhat Bulut and said, “We protest the interruption of our leader’s [Öcalan] phone call. Therefore we will not use our own rights to make phone calls.”
Another prisoner, Mehmet Binici, has also pledged to forgo phone calls until Öcalan is granted a meeting.
What happened?
Claims regarding Öcalan’s health were recently shared on social media, provoking questions and intense speculation.
Turkish officals called Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet to make a phone call with his brother. After five minutes of conversation the call was interrupted.
