in Afyonkarahisar in 1921 and imprisoned in Pilos
Fortress in the far southwest of Greece.
Ironically, the fortress was built by the Turks in 1573 and
seized by the Venitians in 1686. It was used as a prison
until 1941, after which the Italians and Germans used
it as their HQS during WWII.//
The statement of Sergeant Kadir, age 35, the son of Ahmed of the sons
of clog maker Zeybek from (Afyon)Karahisar Gökçe quarter:
10 June 1923
10 June 1923
Question: Where did the Greeks capture you, when with who
else?
Where were you transported to? Explain the reason for your
imprisonment?
Where were you transported to? Explain the reason for your
imprisonment?
Answer: Based on the
pretext of the murder of Armenians, in 1921
myself and three companions, Osman, son of Hasan from Karakâtib
quarter, Mehmed, son of Bekir from Camikebir quarter, and Süleyman,
son of Osman from Hacı Nasuh quarter, were taken from Karahisar by
the Greeks, transported to Pilos Fortress and incarcerated.
Pilos Fortress in Messiani, Greece
myself and three companions, Osman, son of Hasan from Karakâtib
quarter, Mehmed, son of Bekir from Camikebir quarter, and Süleyman,
son of Osman from Hacı Nasuh quarter, were taken from Karahisar by
the Greeks, transported to Pilos Fortress and incarcerated.
Pilos Fortress in Messiani, Greece
Question: What was
the period of your captivity and what kind of
treatment did you experience while a prisoner and confined? When
were you released? What was the reason for your release? Did you have
clothing and food?
treatment did you experience while a prisoner and confined? When
were you released? What was the reason for your release? Did you have
clothing and food?
Answer: We were sentenced to 101 years in prison and
transported to
Greece. At the Piraeus pier we waited in hunger under the hot sun for
two days. On the third day, still hungry, we were put on a ship and
taken to the Kebarisiya pier. There, after two days, our money was
taken from us and our clothes sold, on the pretext that this would cover
our fare. We we exhausted from lack of food. Though the mediation of
Hafız Ahmed of the Balıkesir group, we each got 100 drachmas from
the sellers. But after the ship fare was taken from us, we did not board
the ship and went overland instead, arriving 2 days later at Pilos.
After traveling for 8 days without food, on the 9th day we were each
given 100 drachmas at the Pilos Fortress. During our travel we were
given very little water. At the Kebarisiya pier we were able to get a
small jug of water for a franc from the sellers. In the course of our travel
and incarceration curses were hurled at our religion, sacred books and
our honor. We were subjected to rifle butt blows and many other forms
of torture.
With 100 drachmas each day, it was impossible to obtain anything other
than bread so we had no money for other food and clothes. In fact, they
took the new clothes we were wearing. While we were in prison we
received no health care whatsoever. We were only able to get care by
paying exorbitant prices to have a doctor come from the outside. Those
among us who couldn’t afford this died. Later, a hospital was opened
inside the fortress, thanks to financial support from the Balıkesir group.
So in this way, we received health car. On the date of the general
amnesty, 1 April 1923, we were taken to the Kuri barracks, about two
hours away from Athens. There, we were told that “treatment will be
equivalent. Your government is making our prisoners work at forced
labor.” So for a month we were kept deep in a forest digging ditches.
Nevertheless, during this time we had enough food to eat. On 24 May
1923 we returned to our hometown Karahisar.
Greece. At the Piraeus pier we waited in hunger under the hot sun for
two days. On the third day, still hungry, we were put on a ship and
taken to the Kebarisiya pier. There, after two days, our money was
taken from us and our clothes sold, on the pretext that this would cover
our fare. We we exhausted from lack of food. Though the mediation of
Hafız Ahmed of the Balıkesir group, we each got 100 drachmas from
the sellers. But after the ship fare was taken from us, we did not board
the ship and went overland instead, arriving 2 days later at Pilos.
After traveling for 8 days without food, on the 9th day we were each
given 100 drachmas at the Pilos Fortress. During our travel we were
given very little water. At the Kebarisiya pier we were able to get a
small jug of water for a franc from the sellers. In the course of our travel
and incarceration curses were hurled at our religion, sacred books and
our honor. We were subjected to rifle butt blows and many other forms
of torture.
With 100 drachmas each day, it was impossible to obtain anything other
than bread so we had no money for other food and clothes. In fact, they
took the new clothes we were wearing. While we were in prison we
received no health care whatsoever. We were only able to get care by
paying exorbitant prices to have a doctor come from the outside. Those
among us who couldn’t afford this died. Later, a hospital was opened
inside the fortress, thanks to financial support from the Balıkesir group.
So in this way, we received health car. On the date of the general
amnesty, 1 April 1923, we were taken to the Kuri barracks, about two
hours away from Athens. There, we were told that “treatment will be
equivalent. Your government is making our prisoners work at forced
labor.” So for a month we were kept deep in a forest digging ditches.
Nevertheless, during this time we had enough food to eat. On 24 May
1923 we returned to our hometown Karahisar.
Question: Did any of your companions die and if so what was
the cause?
Did your three friends return with you?
Did your three friends return with you?
Answer: Of my
friends, no one from Karahisar died but there were
many others, whose names I don’t know, from other towns and
provinces that died from hunger and disease. My three friends returned
with me.
many others, whose names I don’t know, from other towns and
provinces that died from hunger and disease. My three friends returned
with me.
Question: Is your statement correct? Will you sign it?
Answer: Yes. I have no objection and it is correct. I am
signing it.
Statement-owner: Abdülkadir, son of Zeybek Ahmed, who has
returned
from captivity.
from captivity.
Deputy Police Chief Ali Rıza
The time, route of captivity, reason, time of captivity,
date and return
in our statement is the same as that of Sergeant Kadir of Gökçe quarter.
We confirm our statement.
11 June 1923
in our statement is the same as that of Sergeant Kadir of Gökçe quarter.
We confirm our statement.
11 June 1923
Osman, son of Hasan from Karakâtib quarter, who returned
from
captivity
captivity
Mehmed, son of Bekir from Camikebir quarter, who returned
from
captivity
captivity
Süleyman, son of Osman from Hacı Nasuh quarter
The companions have read Sergeant Kadir’s statement, made
the
same statement and confirmed their statements.
Deputy Police Chief Ali Rıza
//END of PART XVIII//
same statement and confirmed their statements.
Deputy Police Chief Ali Rıza
//END of PART XVIII//
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