ATIK | Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe | AHM-ATIK News Center
ATHENS |21.07.2018| Turgut Kaya, a political prisoner held in Greece and awaiting Extradition, has been granted asylum. The cancellation of the Extradition Process continues, whilst his hunger strike reached day 52. 
Partizan has issued a statement with regards to recent developments.
“We will continue the struggle until Turgut Kaya is free!
The struggle of Turgut Kaya is continuing to this day. He was arrested in February upon entrance to Greece and was later given the verdict of Extradition on 30 May 2018 by the supreme court.
Turgut Kaya’s hunger strike which he began on 31st of May, to cancel the extradition and to reclaim his freedom, has now reached day 52. During this process, the struggle of his comrades, friends and revolutionaries, communists and progressive people from many nationalities, especially the Greek people , for his freedom has been an important part of his struggle.
With the combination of Turgut’s struggle inside and our struggle outside, the immigration bureau has finally granted political asylum to Turgut Kaya on July 20th.
Although it is a very important development, it does not mean freedom for Turgut Kaya as long as the Extradition verdict remains active. As we all know the Greek Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis kept silence on this matter until a radio show. He said he will decide on this case following the verdict from the immigration bureau responding to a question about the situation of Turgut Kaya.
However, from day one the lawyers and comrades of Turgut Kaya said that only Ministry of Justice has the power to stop the Extradition process by rejecting the verdict reached by the Supreme Court.
Upon this recent development, the Ministry of Justice Stavros Kontonis has no excuse for stopping the extradition. Stopping the extradition and preventing Turgut Kaya’s return to the torture centres of the Fascist Turkish state is now on Justice minister’s shoulders. On day 52 of the hunger strike, every hour passing is crucial now. Justice Minister must stop the extradition and free Turgut Kaya immediately, not hiding behind the legal procedure and political excuse.
As comrades, friends and outside voice of Turgut Kaya we call upon international public opinion to continue and enhance this valuable solidarity until Turgut Kaya is free. Let’s make his outside voice louder and louder, not forgetting the importance of every hour in Turgut Kaya’s life.
Revolutionary Will cannot be imprisoned!
Long live revolutionary international struggle!
Stop the Extradition to the Fascist Turkish state and Free Turgut Kaya!
Partizan
21.07.2018″
