In the context of an overall operation in Europe, in April 15-18, the authorities violently arrested 13 Turkish militants, 7 in Germany, 4 in Greece, 1 in Switzerland and 1 in France, all active with ATIK (Confederation of Turkish Workers in Europe). In the past they have all been imprisoned for many years by the reactionary Turkish regime, in prisons like the one in Diyarbakir, because of their political activities. They have suffered torture that caused severe health problems to many of them and they have participated in hunger strikes. The arrested militants are not accused of specific actions but for their political activities and views. They are accused of being members of TKP/ML (Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist Leninist), which is “illegal”, like all left and revolutionary organizations in Turkey.
Of the 4 arrested in Greece, 3 are still in detention, Gultekin Erol, Kaya Turgut, Pektas Deniz. The 4th, Ozdemir Arzu, was released and the accusation of “illegally entering” the country was relieved on April 30th. She had applied for political asylum, but the Greek authorities attempted to deport her immediately to Turkey. She was saved due to mobilization. The rest (two asking for political asylum and one German citizen) face deportation to Germany or Turkey, which, in fact, means imprisonment -maybe for life- even danger for their lives! We also condemn the detention and tortures of other Turkish militants, locked in four prisons in Greece. One of them, Bilgehan Karpat, is held in isolation in the prison of Corfu because he denied the humiliating body search.
It is obvious that the imperialists of the EU and their mechanisms of suppression target all militants and their beliefs. The broader context includes fascist, terror and suppression policies against all people of Europe, against immigrants, refugees and militants.
The Greek authorities are aligned to these policies and apply them. The Turkish militants must be IMMEDIATELY RELEASED, they must NOT BE DEPORTED to any country and they must be accorded POLITICAL ASYLUM! In case this does not happen, the Greek government will be RESPONSIBLE for whatever happens to them!
We must develop wide mass activities to save the lives of the Turkish militants, with mobilization and resolutions by mass organizations. Mass mobilization and demonstrations already take place in many countries.
DEMONSTRATION
Tuesday, May 19th, 7:00 pm Panepistimiou av. (Propylaia), Athens
Support Committee
May 6th 2015
