Condition of seriously ill political prisoner continues to deteriorate

As the condition of seriously ill political prisoner Seyfettin Demhat continues to deteriorate, his sister calls on people to stand up for the sick prisoners.

The state of health of political prisoner Seyfettin Demhat is deteriorating rapidly. According to his lawyer, Demhat suffers from Familial Mediterranean Fever, FMF. Abdominal pain, pain in the chest, stinging sensation and joint pain-swelling occur due to inflammation in the peritoneum, which can last for 3-4 days, accompanied by fever. Recurrent attacks cause protein accumulation in the body, chronic kidney failure, and other disorders over time. Demhat uses colchicine medicine for this disease, but this medicine does not cure the disease. It only reduces the attacks of the disease and prevents it from harming other organs.

Due to the massive stress caused by the pain and imprisonment, he repeatedly suffers heart spasms. Demhat even had a heart attack last year. As he can hardly move, he also suffers from cysts on his back and neck.

"He cannot remain in prison"

Seyfettin Demhat was sentenced to 26 years in prison and has already served nine years, currently in a high-security prison in Van. His sister, Şengül Martı, announced that her brother's illness has progressed and his whole body is completely inflamed: "Although doctors told Seyfettin that the medication he was taking to prevent kidney failure was no longer good for him and was not enough, his treatment is only being continued with this medication. The injections had the opposite effect on his body; he had an allergic reaction and Seyfettin's blood values deteriorated. My brother is definitely not a prisoner who should be kept in prison conditions because of his health condition. His life in prison means extreme stress, inadequate nutrition, lack of sleep and lack of fresh air. Rest, fresh air, good nutrition and regular sleep would be important for him to recover and get well. But the prison administration demands that the doctor confirm his fitness for detention. This exposes him to further torture and severe isolation."

"We must not leave the hunger-striking prisoners alone”

With regard to the hunger strikes in the prisons for Abdullah Öcalan, Martı said: "We want everyone to support the resistance behind bars and the vigils of families. Because this struggle is a just struggle. All our imprisoned friends are hostages. Of course, we should not leave this just struggle to the prisoners alone, we must not leave them alone. We must be united as a people. We must not withhold our support. We must set an example for the whole world with these actions. I demand that all our prisoners, especially Leader Öcalan, be released as soon as possible. My brother is seriously ill and there are many others like him. This is a crime against humanity. We cry out to a state that is closed to all humanitarian aspects: enough is enough."