Attorney: Death Fasting Inmate Subjected to Forced Intervention, Torture

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Mustafa Koçak, an inmate who was forced out of prison and brought to the hospital on the 254th day of his death fast, was subjected to torture and forced treatment, according to his attorney.

After a court sentenced him to an aggravated life sentence based on witness statements, Koçak had started a death fast at İzmir Şakran Prison. On March 12, he was taken to the hospital and drip-fed against his will.

Attorney Ezgi Çakır made a statement for the press today, telling about what Koçak has experienced during the forced intervention.

Koçak was tied to a chair and was brought to Şakran Prison campus hospital around 4.30 p.m. on March 12, she stated.

"For four days, we stated that we wanted to meet with our client through the prosecutor's office, the administrative court, the prison administration, doctors, democratic mass organizations, members of the parliament...

"On the ground of the coronavirus, on the grounds that his immune system is weak, we were prevented from meeting with our client. Yesterday, his family held a protest in front of the door, we waited at the door as his lawyers. And ultimately, after hours of talks, they abducted our client yesterday evening. . Later, we learned that he was brought to the Kırıklar No 1 F-Type Prison.

"I had the opportunity to meet him today. He told [me] what he has experienced for five days. I want to share these with the public."

'There are needle marks on his arms'

"He said that three doctors, including the chief physician of the campus hospital and an internal medicine specialist, forcibly intervened and he had been under torture for five days, that he was conscious, he stated that he didn't accept forced intervention and despite that, they they put on 73 bottles of drips. He showed me his arms; from his shoulders to wrists, there are needle marks and bruises.

"He said that he pulled drips with his teeth and his head was shackled because of this, that he had eight manacles on his arms and eiht manacles on his feet, that he was prevented from shouting by something being put into his mouth, that they they tied his head and body with ropes, and that they told him they would cripple him and then let him go.

"He stated that numerous plain clothed police officers, National Intelligence Agency [MİT] officers, doctors, the prison prosecutor, T2 prison administrator were in the room, they witnessed and occasionally participated in all of these."

"He says that his consciousness was absolutely clear, he did not accept it and these were done despite that. The marks on his body show that he did not accept it and that this forced intervention took place under torture.

"He said they didn't allow him to go to the toilet for five days, caused him to wet or soil his clothes and did not clean it... Those who didn't allow us inside, saying 'hygiene,' are those who kept Mustafa waiting for five days."

'He continues to resist'

The attorney said that Koçak was also subjected to seuxal assaut and added, "He said that he was harassed, abused with constant swearing and insults, that he sometimes tried to remove the drip from his arms for 10 hours, that they put drips on his legs when he tried to remove it and his veins burst.

"Besided, he said they laughed at him, saying, 'Look Mustafa, you are recovering, you are very good, aren't you?"

"Mustafa has a message for you, he continues to resist," Çakır said. (AS/VK)