Support from PEN, Rebecca O’Brien, Ken Loach to Gülmen, Özakça on Hunger Strike

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Film-maker and director Ken Loach, film producer Rebecca O'Brien and PEN International have delivered messages in support of Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça who have been on a hunger strike for 76 days requesting to be reinstated to their positions and were taken into custody yesterday (May 22).

"Our politicians should also demand Nuriye and Semih be immediately reinstated"

The message of Loach and O'Brien reads as follows:

"We send our support and salute the courage of Nuriye and Semih. Their victimisation shames Erdogan, his government and the media which remains silent. All those, including our politicians, who claim to support justice and open democracy must demand that Nuriye and Semih should be immediately reinstated."

PEN points out to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

PEN international in its message published on its official website described the detention as "unacceptable" and called for their immediate release.

PEN also pointed out to Ankara Chamber of Medicine diagnosing Gülmen and Özakça with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).
Carles Torner, executive director of PEN International said "By detaining Semih Özakça and Nuriye Gülmen, the Turkish authorities show once again their utter contempt for freedom of expression and human rights. Özakça and Gülmen must be released immediately" and added:

"Their appeal, and that of the tens of thousands of civil servants who have been arbitrarily dismissed since the coup attempt, must be examined promptly, independently and impartially".

Detained yesterday, will be referred to court today

Police entered home breaking through the steel door of the home at around 1:00 a.m. yesterday (May 22) and took Gülmen and Özakça into custody on the 75th day of their hunger strike.

Police also attacked the supporters of Gülmen and Özakça who gathered in the hunger strike area in front of the Human Rights Monument in Ankara during the day, battered and detained some of the supporters.

Selçuk Kozağaçlı, one of the attorneys of Gülmen and Özakça stated that they would be taken to court today to testify before the prosecutor's office. (AS/DG).