BALIKESİR - 30-year prisoner Mehmet İldem, who was released from Burhaniye Type T Closed Prison, stated that freedom is possible with struggle and that he will fight until the last breath of his life.

 

Mehmet İldem (65), a prisoner of 30 years in Balıkesir Burhaniye T Type Closed Prison, was released. İldem, who was detained in Adana in 1993, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the State Security Court (DGM) on the grounds of "disrupting the unity and integrity of the country". İldem, who was held in Mêrdîn, Amed, Mûş, Trabzon, Ordu and Istanbul prisons respectively, had been held in Burhaniye Prison for about 4 years. İldem was welcomed in front of the prison by his family, Balıkesir provincial administrators of the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and members of the Aegean Detainee and Convict Families and Solidarity and Solidarity Association (EGE TUHAY-DER). 

 

'FREEDOM IS POSSIBLE WITH STRUGGLE'

 

Speaking after leaving prison, İldem said that he was sorry for leaving his friends behind. Stating that he had been held in prison unjustly and unlawfully for 30 years, İldem said: "Our cause is the cause of freedom. Freedom is not easy. Freedom is possible with struggle." Drawing attention to the hunger strike actions, İldem said: "Our struggle will continue until the demands are accepted. We need to increase the resistance both the prisons and the outside."

 

'I WOULD WORK FOR 30 MORE YEARS FOR FREEDOM'

 

Stating that he is also a seriously ill prisoner, İldem said: "There are thousands of seriously ill prisoners in prisons. Despite my illness, I will continue my struggle outside. I was held in prison for 30 years for the cause of freedom, and I would work for freedom for another 30 years. I will continue my struggle until my last breath." 

 

İldem will go to Mêrdîn tomorrow morning.