Germany: Hungerstrike of DHKC-prisoner ended in victory

[english at ozgurluk.xs4all.nl]

June 14, 1999

The 39 day long hungerstrike action of the DHKP-C prisoner Ali Ekti
has ended with the promise to fulfill all his demands!

The DHKP-C prisoner Ali Ekti was in a hungerstrike for 39 days in
Suhrenkamp prison (Anstalt 2, am Hasenberger 26, 22335 Hamburg). The
reason for his action was the isolation used against him and the fact
that there was a provocative atmosphere caused by psychopathic
prisoners he was put together with after he had refused to testify
against his co-defendant Ilhan Y.  Another reason was that treatment
was hindered for his blood circulation problems. Ali Ekti saw this
situation as a serious attack against political identity and thus
began a hungerstrike which lasted for 39 days. To break the action,
and Ekti's will, the prison administration planned all kind of
intrigues. At first they acted ignorant. Then they stated the
situation would change if Ali Ekti would decide to give up the
hungerstrike. After they achieved nothing with this, they started to
put food in his cell after the 30th day of the action. Every time the
food was thrown away before the eyes of the prisoner. But after a
while this was stopped. To test his will, they sent a priest to Ali
Ekti during the last days who should try to break his resistance. But
they realised that the situation would not change. They understood
that a DHKP-C prisoner defends his political identity under all
circumstances, even when he is alone. And although the prison
administration hadn't kept appointments before and stayed away from
talks, contrary to the agreements with the lawyers, they came a few
days ago to apologise. It was not quite clear what these apologies
meant. Three days later, the prison director, the floor manager, the
prison foreigners advisory council and Ali Ekti's lawyer met to
negotiate together with Ekti. This morning they saw themselves forced
to meet all his demands. The following was agreed:

1. Ali Ekti will be transferred back into the normal prison regime.

2. He will have visits and courtyard time under normal conditions.

3. He will be able to participate in all the social and cultural
events.

4. The prison administration will not stand in the way of medical
treatment and if need be he will receive an operation. Treatment will
begin as soon as possible.

5. All this will be implemented on next Friday.  

6. He will be transferred to the hospital ward today to be treated for
the consequences of the action.

As can be seen, the demands were nothing but humane demands. The
prison administration isolated Ali Ekti only for repression
purposes. This arbitrariness by the prison administration, led by the
security service, was blocked through determined resistance. Once
again it was shown that nothing can stand in the way of revolutionary
will-power. Once again this was proven by a DHKP-C prisoner. With
enthusiasm we greet him, his resistance, and the victory he achieved.

Monitoring group of the DHKP-C trials



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