ERNK Press Release On Cevat Soysal

Press Release - July 21, 1999 - Urgent!

     The European Representation of the ERNK (National Liberation
Front of Kurdistan) has announced that Cevat Soysal has been
handed over to Turkey by the Moldovan state. The text of the ERNK
statement is as follows:

     Our colleague Cevat Soysal has been arrested by the Moldovan
authorities and handed over to Turkey. This did not take place as
the result of any "clandestine" operation by the Turkish state.
Cevat Soysal had been in the custody of the Moldovan authorities
for about a week. Our ERNK European organization had made
representations with the Maldovan authorities, which initially
admitted that they had detained him. However, they subsequently
denied this and violated international law by surrendering Cevat
Soysal to the Turkish authorities. Cevat Soysal is not the
European Representative of the PKK, as claimed by the Turkish
press, but is an active member of the European ERNK organization.
     Mr. Soysal has spent 10 years in Diyarbakir jail in Turkey
where he suffered torture which severely affected his health. He
arrived in Germany in the beginning of 1996 where he has full
asylum status and where he now lives with his wife and children.
     We condemn the actions of the Moldovan authorities and call
on international organizations and institutions to take urgent
action.
     The handing over of Cevat Soysal to Turkey is a continuation
of the conspiracy that began on February 15 and the latest
instance of international terrorism aimed at our party and
people. At the same time it puts in the shade the peace and
resolution process launched by President Apo and our party. No
conspiracy or terrorist initiative will be able to impede the
progress of the legitimate and just struggle of our people and
party.

ERNK European Representation
Cologne - July 21, 1999

(Source: DEM News Agency - Translation from Turkish original)