PEN also pointed out to Ankara Chamber of Medicine diagnosing Gülmen and Özakça with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).Carles Torner, executive director of PEN International said "By detaining Semih Özakça and Nuriye Gülmen, the Turkish authorities show once again their utter contempt for freedom of expression and human rights. Özakça and Gülmen must be released immediately" and added:
PEN, Ankara Tabip Odası’nın Gülmen ve Özakça'nın sağlık durumundaki belirtilerin Wernicke-Korsakoff Sendromunun öncü belirtileri olduğunu açıkladığını da hatırlattı.