Emrah Kandemir, held in Elazığ High Security Closed Prison No 1, was not released on the grounds of "not being in good behaviour" although he completed his sentence on 24 December 2024. Kandemir was arrested for 4 months in 2011 for "terrorist organization membership" and 8 months in 2012 for "propaganda for a terrorist organization". Kandemir was acquitted of all charges. 

 

Kandemir was detained again in 2015 in Bazîd (Doğubayazıt) district of Agirî (Ağrı) and was arrested. Kandemir was tried at Ağrı 2nd High Criminal Court and sentenced to 10 years and 6 months for "terrorist organization membership" and 3 years and 6 months for "propaganda for a terrorist organization". Since he was acquitted in previous cases, his 12 months of imprisonment was deducted from his last sentence.

 

Kandemir completed his sentence on 24 December 2024 after the deduction decision. However, the Prison Administration and Observation Board claimed that Kandemir is "not good behaviour" due to his participation in a hunger strike against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Kandemir's release was blocked for 6 months. 

 

DEMANDED HIS SON'S FREEDOM

 

 

Mother Hamide Çelik reacted against the prevention of her son's release. Hamide Çelik stated that her son was imprisoned in prisons in Agirî, Konya, Erzîrom (Erzurum), Wan (Van) and lastly in Xarpêt (Elazığ) and said, "We could not visit Konya for 1 year because it was far away. They want to isolate prisoners by taking them to cities far away from their families. With this method, they punish both the prisoner and his family."

 

Hamide Çelik said that the practice against her son was unlawful and added, "The solution to this problem lies with the Ministry of Justice and the presidency. If they want, they can solve this problem. However, they have given their authority to the prison board. If there is no justice in a country, revenge comes into play. That is why Emrah is not being released today. I am also sick and one of my shoulders is paralysed. I need an operation. I want my son, who will look after me during the operation, to be with me."

 

Hamide Çelik said, "Mothers' lives are beautiful with their children. Let this year be the year of solution and mothers can embrace their children. I want the children to be released from prison and I want the initiated process to be permanent. I wish peace, brotherhood and equality to be ensured."

 

MA / Mehmet Güleş