İSTANBUL- The 16 people taken under custody in scope of the police intervention in front of Gebze Type M Closed Prison initiated by the families of the prisoners on hunger strike, was released. The citizens who were kept inside a police vehicle with their hands handcuffed behind the back for hours, were examined by the doctor the same way.

 

The families of the hunger strikers who were protesting the isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, encountered a harsh police intervention on the 7th day of the sit in they started on April 9. Police, robocops and water cannons were involved in the police intervention besides the gendermerie. The 16 people including politicians were handcuffed behind the back in the intervention where many people were battered and taken under custody while the police trampled them.

 

The citizens taken under custody were brought to District Police Department and then were released after the doctor's examination in Gebze Fatih State Hospital.

 

The group later came to People's Democratic Party (HDP) Gebze District Building, held a press conference.

 

"WE WERE EXAMINED WHILE WE WERE HANCUFFED BEHIND THE BACK'

 

HDP İstanbul Provincial Co-chair Esengül Demir who made the statement in the name of those who were taken under custody, said: "There was an intervention involving pepper gas, assault and detention. Our friends were handcuffed behind the back for 7 hours. Even the doctors examined them in handcuffs."

 

'WE WILL KEEP STRUGGLING'

 

Demir who critisized the doctors remaining unresponsive, said: "We will keep being there for our comrades on hunger strike demanding the termination of the isolation on Mr. Öcalan. We will keep struggling until freedom comes to this country."