A HUNGER striker in Newport has now gone 74 days without food, with supporters saying he is “prepared to sacrifice his life” if an imprisoned Kurdish leader is not granted more rights.

Imam Sis has previously vowed not to eat unless alleged human rights abuses against Abdullah Öcalan - leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party who has been in solitary confinement since 1999 - are investigated.

Mr Öcalan claims he has not been allowed visits from lawyers since 2016.

More than 100 activists staged a protest on Chepstow Road in Newport in support of Mr Öcalan on February 15.

Mark Campbell, of the Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign, said yesterday that Mr Sis’s health had “deteriorated seriously” bu that he was “prepared to sacrifice his life” if his demands were not met.

Mr Sis,32, moved to Wales five years ago. He told the Argus he only has a few drinks daily.

He started his hunger strike in December 2018.

Speaking to the Argus, he previously said:”In Kurdish we say ‘resistance is life’ – we must do everything we can to raise awareness of this struggle.

“We want Abdullah Öcalan to be released. He has not done anything wrong, other than put his people first. The CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture), ECHR (the European Court of Human Rights), or a member of his legal representation need to make contact with Öcalan.

“Small and unrecognised nations must stick together – so I am proud that Plaid Cymru MPs and AMs have signed a letter supporting the cause, along with many other academics, lawyers, trade unionists and activists. People who come to see me say that I have lost weight.

“I have been on hunger strike before to raise awareness for different causes. It is all about being able to think of the end goal - which will hopefully be a man’s freedom.”