Kurdish political prisoners Cemal Yılmaz (58) and Eren Tekin (56) were released from Izmir Şakran prison after 32 years of captivity. The prisoners, who saw their release postponed twice, were welcomed with flowers by members of the Aegean Association of Assistance and Solidarity with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (EGE TUHAYDER) and DEM Party executives in front of the prison gate. Yılmaz and Tekin wished peace by letting doves fly.

Building better days

Speaking during the welcome in front of the prison, Cemal Yılmaz said that resistance against the policies of oppression and isolation in prisons is growing and added: “It saddens us that our friends are still in prison, but we will build better days.”

Eren Tekin drew attention to the conditions of detention and said that the situation was getting worse day by day. He added: “Our belongings are destroyed during the searches. There is intense pressure. I’m not happy to leave so many of our friends behind.”

Sentenced to life imprisonment by the State Security Court

Cemal Yılmaz was arrested in Manisa in 1993 and Eren Tekin in Izmir. The two detainees were sentenced to life imprisonment for “undermining the unity and integrity of the state” following the trial before the State Security Court (DGM). Yılmaz and Eren, who stayed in various prisons, saw their release postponed twice for 7 months each because they did not accept to show “remorse” as imposed by the Prison Administration Observation Council.