Significant deterioration of the health of Giannis Michaelidis – 61 days of hunger strike
Anarchist comrade Giannis Michailidis is on hunger strike since 23/5, demanding his release. Today he completes 61 days of hunger strike without his request being accepted. His health condition has deteriorated greatly, as he has a very difficult time in getting out of bed, standing up, reading and writing, his spleen and gall pains are becoming more and more severe, while he has reached a point where it is difficult for him to drink much water.
His body weight has reached 54.1 kg. Having started the hunger strike at 73 kilos, he has now lost 19 kilos, 26% of his initial body weight. His high blood pressure is 9 and low is 6, and his blood sugar was measured at 67. Having lost over 25% of his initial body weight, and with his health indicators constantly deteriorating, his possibilities for permanent physical damage are now very high. At the moment, comrade Giannis Michailidis is on the verge of hypoglycemic shock and doctors are reporting that there is a possibility that he could fall into a coma. The state and judicial authorities are gambling with the life and integrity of anarchist Giannis Michailidis.
We reiterate from the previous update that his white blood cell count has fallen so far below the lower normal limit (value: 2.43 with limits of 4.60-10.2 K/μL), leading to immunodeficiency. Platelets are also counted far below the lower normal limit (value: 90 with limits 142-424 K/μL), and Thrombocytopenia can cause severe and threatening internal bleeding. Based on his latest medical examinations and according to the treating physicians, he is at risk of severe osteoporosis and he is already experiencing joint pain. In addition, he has severe chest pain when trying to move around. He already has a potentially permanent neurological problem in his eyes, as the neurological examination showed diplopia in extreme positions due to nutritional deficiency. The latest radiological examinations and ultrasound examination (on 18/7) showed that the organs most at immediate risk of permanent damage are the bile and the spleen, with the latter facing additional burden, as Giannis has congenital thalassemia. Finally, there is severe pain in the left kidney. All of the above is not helped by his increased sleep disturbances, and certainly the sensory isolation space in which he is located, leading to the almost total absence of support, care and attention from his relatives and his personal physician.
The rejection of the decisions and proposals so far, as well as the fact that the council was set on a date when the comrade will be on 64 days of hunger strike, shows blatantly that the state and civil justice have double standards. They exterminate, torture and push to death an anarchist militant, while releasing bastards murderers and rapists like Korkoneas, Filippidis, Hortarias, Leventis and Lignadis. Justice is class-based, and it is our responsibility to bring justice to the streets by joining forces and fighting actively to end the extermination of Giannis Michailidis. To rally and struggle with all our strength for the release of our comrade. To support and accompany the solidarity calls of the coming days:
SOLIDARITY ASSEMBLY: Saturday July 23rd, 17:00, Strefi Theatre
SOLIDARITY CONCERT: Sunday July 24th, 20:00, Propylaea
MEETING ON THE DAY OF THE COUNCIL: Monday July 25, 11:00, Lamia Court of Appeal
We warn the judicial authorities and make it clear that the delay of the decision or the possibility of a negative decision by the Lamia council is tantamount to state murder of the anarchist comrade Giannis Michailidis. We therefore emphatically emphasize the weight of responsibility that weighs on this decision and the time of its making.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE ANARCHIST GIANNIS MICHAILIDIS
Against the regime of exemption of political prisoners
Assembly in solidarity with the anarchist hunger striker Giannis Michailidis
assembly email: mihallil@riseup.net
via: athens.indymedia