Kenan Ayaz, the 49-year-old Kurdish political activist whom Cyprus extradited to Germany in April is kept under “very harsh prison conditions” in Hamburg, his defense lawyer in Nicosia said in a written statement.
Ayaz was arrested on March 15 on accusations of international terrorism but his supporters in Cyprus are still protesting his extradition, also arguing that this paves the way for further extradition to Turkey.
Wednesday’s statement also said: “All laws and restrictions normally reserved for dangerous terrorists and those accused of organized crime apply to Kenan Ayazh.
“The conditions of imprisonment show once again the political nature of the criminal proceedings against him”.
Ayaz was wanted by the German authorities for his alleged involvement in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is labelled as a terrorist organisation by the EU and NATO.
In his testimony, Ayaz repeatedly denied any involvement in the organisation.
Ayaz’s defence team had argued that the situation between the PKK and Turkey constitutes an “armed conflict” and cannot be considered a case of terrorism.
He had lived in Cyprus for 10 years as a political refugee, known for participating in the Kurdish struggle for independence. he was granted political asylum in 2011.
