Verdict of Release for Death Fasting Grup Yorum Guitarist İbrahim Gökçek

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On a death fast for 252 days, imprisoned Grup Yorum music band guitarist İbrahim Gökçek has been released following a forensic medical report documenting that "he is not in a state to stay in prison."

An international travel ban and house arrest have been imposed on İbrahim Gökçek as part of judicial control measures.

In his first and most recent hearing on February 14, the İstanbul 37th Heavy Penal Court ruled that Silivri Prison Administration should refer Gökçek to the Forensic Medicine Institute so that his medical condition could be examined in detail and the Institute could present an opinion as to whether he could stay in prison or not. The court also decided to evaluate the possibility of his release depending on the report between the hearings.

Gökçek was examined at the Institute last week. Preparing a report based on this medical examination, the 3rd Specialization Department of the Institute has highlighted that the weight of 1.90-meter-high Gökçek has dropped to 46 kilograms and he is not in a state to stay in prison.

Gökçek has been diagnosed with a general disorder and cachexia due to lack of nutrition. Accordingly, the Institute has unanimously concluded that "Gökçek should be hospitalized for his medical follow-up and treatment and he is not in a medical state to stay in prison conditions."

Following this report, the attorneys of Gökçek submitted a petition to the court and requested his release.

Based on the medical report of the Forensic Medicine Institute dated February 21, 2020, the court gave an interim judgement today (February 24) and has ruled that İbrahim Gökçek shall be released from prison.

CLICK - Death Fasting Grup Yorum Member İbrahim Gökçek Not Released

(AS/SD)