Activists in Ankara and Istanbul demand to release ill prisoners

The Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative in Ankara issued a statement in front of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Ankara branch to draw attention to the situation of ill prisoners. Ihsan Ceylan, member of the Board of Directors of the IHD Ankara branch said that seriously ill prisoners are fighting for their lives in prisons, and added that despite all demands, they were not treated and were not released.

Reminding that seriously ill prisoner Bangin Muhammed died while in Iskenderun T Type Closed Prison, Ceylon added that despite all his problems he was not released and eventually died on 12 November.

Ceylon said that the situation of Ramazan Kuru, a seriously ill prisoner in Afyon No. 1 T Type Closed Prison, is very concerning and added that the 70-year-old prisoner was arrested and jailed in 2016.

While in Dinar T Type Closed Prison, he had a heart attack on 19 September 2019 and was taken to Dinar State Hospital, from where he was taken to Denizli State Hospital. Lawyers filed requests to postpone the execution of his sentence, but no answer was received.

IHD in Istanbul demands release of ill prisoner Ahmet Çakal

The Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul branch Prisons Commission held its 505th weekly action in the association’s buildings.

Activists drew attention to the situation of 68-year-old prisoner Ahmet Çakal, who is in İzmir Menemen No. 2 R-Type Prison.

IHD Istanbul Prison Commission member Meral Nergis Şahin said that Ahmet Çakal, who has been in prison for 28 years, has not been released despite his many illnesses.

Stating that Çakal was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Şahin said: “After the surgery, an application was made through his lawyer to give him permission to be accompanied permanently, but this request was rejected by the director of Menemen R Type Prison.” The request for the postponement of the execution of the sentence issued by the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) was also rejected.