27 August 2010
Ali Ciçek had wished to be buried in Diyarbakir. After 28 years his last wish has been finally granted
A leading Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) militant's last wish became reality 28 years after his death during the legendary hunger strike in Diyarbakir prison in 1982.
According to witnesses Ali Cicek's last wish was to be buried in Diyarbakir. He told about his last will to his friends just hours before his death. His body was taken to Osmaniye by Turkish soldiers and buried there after his death on September 17th 1982.
28 years later Cicek's family decided to appeal to Turkish authorities to follow his last will. After approval officials opened Cicek's grave and the remains are now transferred to Diyarbakir.
His body is reburried in Yenikoy cemetery, Diyarbakir with a simple ceremony in presence of his family and friends.
Ali Cicek was arrested by Turkish military when he was 16. He was a very close friend of PKK's legendary figure Kemal Pir. He joined the 14 July Death Fast Resistance and died on September 17th 1982.
Despite his age he showed enormous courage against torture campaign in Diyarbakir Prison. Therefore he is considered a symbol of resistance for Kurdish people.
He was nicknamed “Our Red Star” by Mehmet Hayri Durmus, one of the leading founders of the PKK. The same nickname was used for him by Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.
ANF / DIYARBAKIR
ANF NEWS AGENCY
