In 2015, Ayık was detained while distributing Özgür Halk Magazine in Izmir and was arrested on charges of "terrorist organization membership". Ayık was released after a while due to his deteriorating health condition. 

 

However, Ayık was arrested again in January 2021 and placed in Antalya S-Type Closed Prison, and has been struggling to survive in prison conditions since then.

 

The health condition of Devrim Ayık, who has many chronic illnesses such as Crohn's disease, vision and hearing loss, intestinal surgeries and serious dental problems, has become more severe in prison conditions. His mother Hülya Ayık said that her son had lost significant weight in recent weeks and he is in severe pain and cannot access basic treatment processes.

 

On 17 June 2025, Hülya Ayık described her last meeting with her son in prison and stated that his physical condition was extremely bad: "Devrim's waist was now sticking to his stomach, his skin was white. When I asked him, 'Why did you get so thin?' he said, 'I don't have anything to eat anymore’. He was taken to the emergency room twice within a week, but they only gave him a drip and an injection and sent him back. Even the nurses say, 'How are you still in prison?’. But the doctors who organised the committee report do not see this fact."

 

The mother said that Ayık was in the last stage of Crohn's disease: "Doctors stated that the next stage is cancer. Smart needle treatment has been started, but the medication needs to be administered regularly and on time. This is not possible in prison. Oral medicines are also not given properly."

 

'NO ACCESS TO TREATMENT'

 

Devrim Ayık has 50 per cent hearing loss in both ears and has not been operated for four years. His teeth are broken into pieces while eating and it is emphasised that he needs urgent oral surgery.

 

His mother Hülya Ayık said, "My son is waiting for death in prison, abandoned to his fate. Seriously ill prisoners like Devrim should not be kept in prison" and called on the authorities.

 

'PRESSURE IS INCREASING IN PRISONS'

 

Stating that Devrim Ayık told her that the prisoners in prison support the process initiated with the call of Abdullah Öcalan, mother Ayık said: "This process cannot be carried out unilaterally. The pressure in prisons is higher than before. Even healthy people fall ill because they cannot go to hospital. Sick prisoners are no longer waiting for treatment, but for death. The process needs to be reflected in concrete steps in prisons as well."

 

Mother Ayık also reacted to the closure of the way for execution postponements and emphasised that sick prisoners should be released as soon as possible.

 

Lastly, Hülya Ayık shared the message sent by Devrim Ayık from prison: "Devrim said, 'We have resisted in prison until today and we will resist from now on. We want our comrades outside, MPs, lawyers and NGOs to make our voices heard. This is our only demand'.”