INTERNATIONAL PRISONERS’ SOLIDARITY

We publish a letter from Ukrainian political prisoners and communists Mikahil and Alexander Kononovich to political prisoner in Turkey Fikret Akar

Also read the Call for the International Solidarity Hunger Strike on August 5, in support of Political Prisoners in the Ukraine:

Hello, our dear comrade and friend Fikret!

Ukrainian communists and political prisoners, brothers Mikhail and Alexander Kononovich, write to you with ardent communist greetings. We are currently under house arrest and forced to wear electronic GPS bracelets.

Dear friend, we apologize for taking so long to write. Much has happened during this time, and we’ve been incredibly busy.

Finally, we have managed to officially register in the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine an organization providing assistance to political prisoners, the Association for the Protection of Political Prisoners’ Rights and Human Rights. Given our situation, the current situation in Ukraine and the ongoing war, it was extremely difficult to do this. But we have achieved our goal.

Our comrades in prison are being held in appalling, practically medieval conditions. Cells designed for ten people are overcrowded: twenty prisoners are held to a cell, forcing people to sleep in shifts. Instead of a toilet, there’s a hole in the floor. There are practically no showers, and prisoners are allowed to wash only once a week. Fresh air walks are also provided only once a week.

The cells are constantly flooded, the walls are covered in mold, and dampness is everywhere. Serious diseases, including tuberculosis, spread in such conditions.

It’s a pity that we can’t send you the videos so that you can see everything in person. We have passed these materials on to our common comrades in Europe. They were shocked by what they saw. Believe me, my dear friend, the conditions of political prisoners in Ukraine are extremely cruel and inhumane.

We want to organize a one-day international hunger strike in support of our comrades—political prisoners.

Dear Fikret, we would be very happy if you and your comrades would join our action. You are recognized heroes of the resistance and have extensive experience in organizing such events. For us, this is the first action of its kind. Therefore, we would like you to join us as more experienced comrades and help us with your participation and solidarity.

We will send you detailed information about the upcoming action so that you and your comrades can become familiar with its purpose, content, and overall concept.

Dear comrade Fikret, how are you? What’s new with you? How are your days going? How are your comrades?

Please convey our warmest, most ardent communist greetings to all your Turkish comrades, from us and from the political prisoners of Ukraine.

We are sincerely glad that you, our friends, are with us and that we, Ukrainian political prisoners, have someone to look up to. You are an example of resilience and struggle for prisoners of repressive regimes around the world.

Dear friend Fikret, we embrace you warmly.

With respect and friendly greetings,

Ukrainian Communists,

brothers Mikhail and Alexander Kononovich