Demand for Release of Can Kept in Detention for 78 Days

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78 Generation Initiative spokesperson and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Party Assembly member Celalettin Can’s friends were in front of Galatasaray Post Office, demanding release of Can.

They sent cards to democratic mass organizations, national and international press, political parties and NGOs.

Celalettin Can’s partner rights activist Nimet Tanrıkulu underscored Can’s medical condition, told that he was taken to hospital in handcuffs and demanded his release.

His friends talked about Can’s contributions in human rights, democracy and struggle for peace.

Tanrıkulu: He was taken to hospital handcuffed

Nimet Tanrıkulu said that Celalettin Can had a heart attack eight years and a biopsy had to be performed before he was taken into custody.

She stated that Can was taken to hospital for checks as handcuffed and the medical examinations were carried out with presence of gendarmerie.

Saying that Can, who has been kept in two-person cell in Silivri Type 9 Prison, told that he doesn’t want to live abroad, Tanrıkulu expressed that they expect his release.

“The lawsuit brought against him has actually brought against democracy, human rights and struggle for peace”.

Reading out the joint statement, Yunus Bircan said that it is unknown which organization membership Can is charged with due to the sealing order on the file.

Those who attended the statement: Human rights defender Nimet Tanrıkulu, Yunus Bircan from 78 Generation Initiative, Leman Yurtsever and Meral Çıldır from the Human Rights Association, Human Rights Watch Turkey Director Emma Sinclair-Webb, journalist Nadire Mater, Freedom and Solidarity Party Board of Presidents member Alper Taş, Ufuk Uras from the DurDe (SayStop) Initiative, artist Zeynep Tanbay, University Faculty Members Association Chair Tahsin Yeşildere, Association of Soldier Dissidents of Military Coups Chair Kudret Ünal, Peace Foundation Chair Hakan Tahmaz, Peoples’ Democratic Party İstanbul Provincial Chair Esengül Demir, Karşı Art founder Feyyaz Yaman, representatives from the Peoples’ Democratic Congress and Center for Dersim Studies. (BK/TK)