Şefika Kandar, a seriously ill prisoner for whom the Forensic Medicine Institution ruled that she “can remain in prison,” has suffered two heart attacks in custody in recent months. Her relative, Hamit Kandar, called for the release of sick prisoners, saying, “She draws her morale from her cellmates.”
According to the 2025 report of the Human Rights Association (IHD), there are 1,412 sick prisoners in Turkey’s prisons, including 335 in critical condition. The report highlights that among seriously ill prisoners are those unable to sustain their lives independently, those with life-threatening conditions, and those whose continued imprisonment is not medically appropriate. It also underlines the importance of reports issued by the Forensic Medicine Institution for sick detainees. Şefika Kandar, a 66-year-old Peace Mother held in Diyarbakir (Amed) Women’s Closed Prison, is one of these prisoners. In recent months, she underwent angiography due to a blocked artery and suffered two heart attacks, yet she has not been released due to the Forensic Medicine Institution’s assessment that she can remain in prison. Her husband, Hamit Kandar, said, “Despite everything, her morale is good, but her illnesses are wearing her down,” and called for the release of all sick prisoners.
Kandar, who had previously been imprisoned twice due to earlier sentences, was last detained and arrested in June 2021. She was sent to Amed Prison after being sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Due to ongoing health problems, she has frequently been transferred to hospital during this period. With metal implants in her legs, she has been undergoing physical therapy every two weeks and has recently been able to sustain her daily life with the support of her cellmates. Kandar, who has undergone multiple surgeries on different parts of her body, has not been released following her referral to the Forensic Medicine Institution in Istanbul, despite her chronic illnesses.
Did not want to be transferred to Menemen
Hamit Kandar, whom we spoke to about the situation, described the difficulties faced by Şefika Kandar and conveyed her demands. He said: “She already had many illnesses when she was first detained. During this period, she underwent six or seven surgeries. She has numerous chronic conditions and frequently goes to hospital. Because she spends time with her cellmates, she is able to cope with her illnesses. She has goiter, high blood pressure, and vascular blockage. Due to the metal implants in her legs, she has difficulty climbing stairs on her own. Alzheimer’s disease has also begun to develop.”
Suffered two heart attacks in recent months
Hamit Kandar said that due to these health issues, his wife was first referred to hospital and then to the Forensic Medicine Institution, and continued: “She was examined by a medical board of 11 doctors in Amed, and from there she was referred to the Forensic Medicine Institution in Istanbul. The board there said, ‘She has illnesses but can remain in prison,’ and wanted to transfer her to Izmir Menemen Prison for treatment.
Because it is far from her family and she would be alone there, my wife did not accept this. She refused the transfer request. She does not want to leave her ward because she receives both physical and psychological support from her cellmates. Even though her illnesses are difficult, she draws strength from them. In recent months, she has suffered two heart attacks in prison and underwent angiography due to blocked arteries.”
Sick prisoners must be released
Hamit Kandar said that although his wife has completed her sentence, she has not been released due to a conviction from an earlier case and concluded: “Even though her morale is high, her health problems are exhausting her. And she is not the only one; there is another sick prisoner in her ward. Prison is not a place for sick people. A 66-year-old should be outside, with her family. We call for the release of all sick prisoners. Their illnesses worsen in prison. Measures must be taken to prevent this.”
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