Prisoner released after 32 years says "our struggle will continue outside"
Ahmet Kağanarslan was released from prison after 32 years. "We did not give in, we came out of prison with our dignity. Our struggle will continue outside," he said.
Ahmet Kağanarslan was released after 32 years of political imprisonment. He was arrested in Silopi in 1992, and sentenced to life imprisonment by one of the State Security Courts (DGM).
He was released from Tekirdağ High Security Prison on Tuesday and was received by his relatives and, among others, Dilek Sönmez Demir, co-chair of the MA TUHAY-DER Relatives Association of Political Prisoners.
Kağanarslan said: "I stayed in prison for 32 years. It is really a very special feeling to come out after such a long time." He added that he was sad to leave his comrades behind in prison, but said that "it is also very special that the struggle is now continuing outside. We have friends whose sentences were extended. They tried to force us to our knees, but we did not bend, we came out with honor and dignity. That is the most important thing."
Dilek Sönmez Demir said that the prison authorities had issued false information to prevent a large-scale welcome for Kağanarslan. Today, Kağanarslan will return to his hometown of Amed.
