KURDISH MP Leyla Guven’s protest hunger strike is set to continue despite her release from Diyarbakir prison today after almost a year behind bars.

Ms Guven’s release was widely celebrated after a huge outpouring of international solidarity for the Peoples’ Democratic MP for Hakkari, who started her hunger strike on November 8 in protest against the continued isolation of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The charges against her for making statements opposing Turkey’s illegal war and occupation of Afrin in northern Syria remain.

If convicted Ms Guven faces 31 years and six months in prison for “membership of an armed terrorist organisation and spreading terrorist propaganda.”

Her daughter Sabiha Temizkan spoke to the Star ahead of today’s court hearing when judges unexpectedly ordered her release.

She explained she first became aware of her mother’s hunger strike at the November 7 court hearing and while she doesn’t agree with it, understood that Ms Guven had no alternative.

“My mother is an MP and is being held in prison while she should be in the Turkish Grand Assembly. She can’t fight for her demands. She says she has no other form of resistance left other than a hunger strike. I can understand her, sadly.”

A tweet shared by Ms Temizkan accompanied by a photograph of her kissing Ms Guven saying “Don’t leave me, mum” was widely shared.

She explained: “It hurts to know your mother is fading. You can’t be near her, you can’t touch her, you can’t ask how she feels. I try to think good things for my mother as much as I can. When I think bad things I feel breathless. I hope my mum’s demands will be met and she will live without long-term damage. I hope I will be able to hug her as much as I want.”

Ms Guven returned home yesterday where she will be monitored, but remains in a critical condition.

“She’s been on hunger strike for 79 days and has lost nine pounds so far. She has complaints like hypotension weakness, nausea and stomach cramps … but the thing that worries me lately is that my mother has trouble taking fluids … that is why I am so scared,” Ms Temizkan explained.

Following her release Ms Guven confirmed the hunger strike would continue until her demands are met: “I am aware of the struggle outside of the prison and thank you all.”

”I will continue the hunger strike. I have taken action to break the isolation, not to be released.”