Kurdish activist Mehmet Çakas, who is jailed in Germany and is facing imminent deportation to Turkey, has sent a message through his lawyer saying, “Greetings to everyone who is fighting for me outside.”

Speaking to ANF after visit to the Uelzen prison where Çakas is held, the Kurdish activist’s lawyer Dr. Björn Elberling said his client is doing well under the circumstances and is very pleased about the interest in his case and the activities against his deportation. Lawyer Elberling stated an urgent appeal is currently pending before the Constitutional Court to prevent the deportation. A decision is expected early next week.

'High-profile actions could be decisive'

Mehmet Demir from the legal aid fund AZADÎ e.V. told ANF that the coming days are important for raising awareness of the case and generating public interest. “It is crucial to prevent Mehmet Çakas from being deported before the Constitutional Court reaches a decision. There are two criminal proceedings against him in Turkey, and we have also submitted new documents on this matter today,” said Demir. In principle, the authorities can be expected not to wait for the Constitutional Court's decision and to act immediately. “That is why immediate high-profile actions could be decisive," said Demir.

Actions expected over the weekend

The Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED) has called for the immediate suspension of the possible deportation of Mehmet Çakas to Turkey and has urged the public, members of parliament, and civil society organizations to follow the case closely and build political pressure. KON-MED demands not only an immediate halt to the deportation, but also a fair asylum procedure in Germany. Activities are expected over the weekend, with the location and time of a central action to be announced.

Cansu Özdemir calls for suspension of deportation

Cansu Özdemir, a member of the German Parliament from Hamburg, is also campaigning against the deportation of Mehmet Çakas. The foreign policy spokesperson for the Left Party in the Bundestag has pulled various strings to raise awareness of the case among the public and the authorities involved. “Mehmet Çakas faces political imprisonment in Turkey,” warned Cansu Özdemir. “It is unacceptable that politically persecuted people are deported to the country where they are persecuted. We demand that the deportation be suspended and that a fair asylum procedure be granted,” the Left Party MP told ANF.