Two hunger strikers in Strasbourg hospitalized

Two of the fourteen activists on indefinite hunger strike in Strasbourg, France have been hospitalized.

Fourteen Kurdish activists have been on an indefinite and non-alternating hunger strike in the French city of Strasbourg for 118 days demanding the end of the isolation imposed on Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

European Democratic Kurdish Society Congress (KCDK-E) Co-chair Yüksel Koç and lawyer Deniz Koç, who are a part of the protest in Strasbourg, experienced worsening health conditions on Saturday afternoon. Koç and Sürgüt were examined by health teams that arrived the scene, and were later taken to hospital.

Doctor Fahrettin Gülşen who has been monitoring the health status of the activists since the launch of their protest, stated that Yüksel Koç had previously experienced inflammation in the upper respiratory tract but refused to be treated for this, which resulted in problems for his lung and heart.

The latest check-up revealed Koç to be experiencing cardiac dysrhythmia, said Gülşen who noted that they also observed indications of pneumonia in the lung.

Describing these problems as vital and critical indications, Gülşen said Koç has been admitted to hospital due to the mentioned issues.

KCDK-E Co-chair had been hospitalized on the 47th day of his fast but refused treatment.

Doctor Gülşen stated that Deniz Sürgüt, on the other hand, has been suffering from severe muscle and bone pain recently, adding; “These pains caused serious sickness for Sürgüt who was consequently experiencing insomnia, nauseation and dizziness. For these reasons, we had him taken to hospital.”

Gülşen warned that similar situations may arise for the other 12 activists on hunger strike for whom critical health problems could be imminent.