ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Ibrahim Gokcek, a bass guitarist for the band Grup Yorum in Turkey, has temporarily ended his near year-long hunger strike protesting the government’s ban on their activities and the release of their band members from prison. “In the early hours of this morning, our member Ibrahim Gokcek gave a break to his resistance. This decision was made by Ibrahim and all other members,” said Grup Yorum in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. The band explained that the decision came after optimistic negotiations with the authorities on their demands. It added that the decision is also based on the possibility of holding concerts in Istanbul, as well as in Izmir on June 3 in“open air.” The guitarist was taken to the hospital for treatment on Tuesday, but is reportedly in stable condition. Gokcek, 40, began his hunger strike 323 days ago, against the government’s ban on their activities. He was joined by other band members, including the singer Helin Bolek who died on March 3 after enduring 288 days of the strike. “We have promised Helin and Ibrahim to hold concerts and we will keep our word,” added the band in Tuesday’s statement. Formed in 1985, the group has been accused of having links to the banned leftist group Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP) which is designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies. The band was given a ban on all activities by the Turkish government in 2016. Their demands include an end to raids against the Idil Cultural Center, the removal of band members from the Ministry of Interior’s most wanted list, the removal of the government-imposed ban on the group, as well as the release of all band members from prison. The group has received nationwide solidarity from the public, especially artists, who call for the lift of ban on the group.
