Demonstrators backing hunger-striking educators arrested

Turkish police arrested 47 of people demonstrating in support of two hunger strikers in Ankara
Sunday, 23 July 2017 19:29

Turkish police arrested 47 of people demonstrating in support of two hunger strikers in Ankara on July 23, firing tear gas to break up the demonstration. As well as tear gas, police also used water cannon to break up the protest.

One of those arrested said he had had his arm broken while resisting.

The protesters gathered in support of an academic, Nuriye Gülmen, and a teacher Semih Özakça, on hunger strike to protest against their sacking.

Academic Nuriye Gülmen and teacher Semih Özakça were fired by a government decree under the state of emergency imposed after the July 15 coup bid last year. On March 9, they went on a hunger strike to challenge their dismissal and were jailed in May on "terror" charges. They were both detained and accused of belonging to a banned far-left group. Prosecutors want them jailed for 20 years.

The pair is now over four months into their hunger strike, only consuming salty or sugary water, herbal teas and vitamin B1.