CPA (M-L) expresses solidarity with Turkish activist Ecevit Piroğlu

Written by: CPA (M-L) on June 4, 2022

The CPA (M-L) has written to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Serbian Ministry of Justice, and the Ambassadors of Turkey and Serbia, to support Turkish activist Ecevit Piroğlu.

Currently jailed in Serbia, Piroğlu faces extradition to Turkey and imprisonent under anti-terrorist laws. He is not a terrorist, but a revolutionary activist, and we stand in solidarity with him.

The letters follow a similar format to that sent to serbian Ambassador Stepanovic, below:
...............
H.E. Ambassador Mr. Rade Stefanovic
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Canberra

Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) in relation to the Turkish national Ecevit Piroğlu who is currently facing an extradition request by Turkey for his return to that country from Serbia.

Ecevit Piroğlu was arrested in Serbia in 2021 because he was on the red list for people wanted in Turkey. He was the former director of the Human Rights Association’s branch in the Turkish city of Izmir and a central committee member of the Socialist Democracy Party. He took part in the Gezi resistance and also in the fight against ISIS in Rojava. Because of the Gezi protests he faces trial for terrorism and 30 years prison sentence. 

His appeal against extradition on June 3 was sabotaged by the deliberate mistranslation of his words by the official translator. The hearing will continue n June 17 with a new translator. 

We are concerned that he faces torture and imprisonment under the Turkish Terror Law. In Turkey there is no guarantee for his life or safety. 

We respectfully request that Ecevit Piroğlu be allowed to seek asylum in Serbia and that the extradition order made on behalf of Turkey be quashed.

Nick G.
Chairperson,
Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist)
June 4. 2022

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