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October 24, 2008
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Kurdish Leader, Abdullah Ocalan Physically Attacked in Isolation Cell
Kurdishaspect.com - By Hevallo
The lawyers of the Kurdish people's leader, Abdullah Ocalan who is imprisoned on the prison island of Imrali, where he is the solitary prisoner, have announced that their client was physically attacked by the Turkish authorities.
In the statement made by his lawyers it was stated that Abdullah Ocalan had been physically attacked by prison officials.
The statement reads: "Our client, Mr Abdullah Ocalan has been kept in Imrali prison under heavy solitary confinement for the past nine years. In the last five years he has also been punished with cell punishments. However our client has now been a victim to even more serious inhumane treatment. This is the incident that occurred as reported to us by our client:"
Abdullah Ocalan: "I would rather you kill me than treat me like this!"
Turkish Authorities Reply: "The time for that will come!'"
"Our client's cell was ransacked by prison officials who claimed to be carrying out a search. Our clients objection to this led to the officials shouting "Shut up, you cannot speak! You do not even have the right to say one word", after this two officials took our client by his arms and moved him to the next room, and another official kneeled on his back to force him to the ground. Our client as a result of this treatment says "I would rather you kill me then treat me like this" to which an official replies "The time for that will come!" as an open threat."
Attack Represents State Policy Against the Kurds
"This is the first time in 9 years that physical abuse on the level of torture has occurred against the leader of the Kurdish Freedom Movement in Imrali. We do not believe that it is a coincidence for this event to take place in parallel with the increase in the violent atmosphere. It is also noteworthy that just before this incident, all Imrali prison officials were changed.
Accordingly we do not believe that this incident can be explained by the actions of individuals. With the system of Imrali in mind it is naive to think that any procedure is independent of the central authority belonging to the Prime Minister's office. Therefore these procedures bare a lot of resemblance to the procedures in the prison of Diyarbakir in 1982 and represent the Turkish State's attitude towards the Kurds."
Those responsible should be withdrawn from their post immediately
"Our client has stated that due to his responsibilities towards his people he will behave calmly but that he holds the state responsible for all the procedures in the prison. We would like to once again remind everyone that our client is being held in a high 'security' environment in which no procedure can be carried out without the approval of the state and the army, therefore we urge the state to behave responsibly and withdraw those who are responsible for this incident from their posts."
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