“641 Sick Prisoners Are Still Jailed”

Struggle Platform Against Isolation released a statement, saying that as of June, there are 641 sick prisoners across Turkey’s prisons with 233 in serious condition.

Holding in front of the Galatasaray High School, the press statement of Struggle Platform Against Isolation (TKMP) drew attention to the violation of rights in F-type prisons and the sick prisoners.

Protesters demanded the release of sick prisoners and protested against the passive behavior of the government by gathering behind the banner “End to Isolation” in Turkish.

The statement continued that sick prisoners have lost their lives, for instance, Mehmet Beşir Alto, a sick prisoner who lost his life in May.  

“Jailing in Tarsus C-type Prison and being a lung cancer patient, Mehmet Beşir Alto was diagnosed with small-sized cell lung cancer by Adana Numune Hospital. He was given to maximum ten months to live, so it was stated that he couldn’t live on himself and he should be sent to Forensic Medicine Institution in order to be released,” the statement said. 

“Mehmet Beşir Alto had started to his treatment before sending to Forensic Medicine Institution, but he lost his life. Authorities tried to deliver the death body of Mehmet Beşir Alto in handcuffs to his family.”

The statement also mentioned several violations of right including cell confinement and fines which were informed to Platform by the prisoners in Edirne F-type Prison. (BK/CB/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.