Health of prisoner Kazım Karataş rapidly deteriorating, says daughter

Seriously ill political prisoner Kazım Karataş has been imprisoned since 1991. His daughter Gülistan Karataş said that her father has repeatedly applied for release, but despite the threat to his life, these applications have always been rejected. Karataş, detained in Tekirdaş No. 2 F-Type Prison, has severe heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and multiple herniated discs. His daughter said that her father suffered stomach bleeding twice, had multiple cardiac catheterizations and underwent open-heart surgery in January 2016.

Before and after the operation, her father was handcuffed to the bed, she said, describing this time as “very painful”. Gülistan Karataş said her father’s lawyers have applied for his release “dozens of times” and added that “his situation is becoming life-threatening. We know that and we are very worried. We fear for his life. Like in any prison where my father is being held, repression is extreme. They implement a strategy of intimidation. For example, I send a package for the fifth time, but it always comes back.”

“We will never give up”

Gülistan Karataş said: “It is remarkable to speak of rights in an environment where there is no justice and equality. They want to force us to give up justice, rights and equality, but we will never do that. We will never give up fighting for justice and equality.”

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