Attorney of Gülmen, Özakça: They Have Been Arrested Based on Instruction

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Progressive Legists Association (ÇHD) Chair Selçuk Kozağaçlı has delivered a statement concerning his clients Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça being arrested on the 76th day of their hunger strike.

“We’ve witnessed an unprecedented arrest decision. An arrest based on instruction took place”, Kozağaçlı said.

Academic Nuriye Gülmen and teacher Semih Özakça, who are the 77th day of their hunger strike today (May 24), were arrested on the grounds that "they would disturb the functioning of the justice system in case they were not arrested and probationary measures would be insufficient when taken into account prescribed time to be served for the respective crimes".

“There is no such reason for arrest in our law”

In the statement delivered on Seyri Street in Ankara, Kozağaçlı said:

“Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça were arrested due to their protests that lasted 20 days.

“As of yesterday, concerning their protests before that 20 days another lawsuit was brought in which they are tried without arrest.

“They were arrested only due to their activities from May 2-May 20.

“We’ve witnessed an unprecedented arrest decision. The court ruled that not arresting them would harm the judicial process, however, there is no such reason for arrest in our law.

“An arrest totally based on an instruction took place”.

“We are very worried about their medical condition”

“We are very worried about the medical conditions of Gülmen and Özakça and we will carefully observe this situation.

“We will continue to inform the public about the process and we will object to their arrest every day. We will not let them kill our friends or leave them injured.

“Nuriye and Semih stated that they embrace everyone supporting them and that they will never give up the struggle. They left us with hope and a smile on their faces”. (AS/TK)