"Concern and Fear" about Practices in Tekirdağ Prison
The Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) is filing a criminal complaint about Haydar Ali Ak, Second Director of the No.1 F Type Prison in Tekirdağ (Thrace), today (26 August).
The association is also going to complain to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) about Prison Prosecutor Metin Arda because he allegedly did not take any action related to Ak despite dozens of complaints made about him.
Moreover, the lawyers of the ÇHD complained about prison manager Ak to the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses.
"Prisoners are under constant oppression"
It is said in the complaint that the lawyers talked to 15 percent of the convicts and detainees. "Looking at the emerging picture, the experiences made at the Tekirdağ No.1 F Type Prison are clearly raising concern and fear". The incidents "Ak has been personally involved in" are listed as follows:
* Attacks of the detainees and convicts during the morning count have become the normal practice. The number of prisoners put in a padded cell rose significantly. The places of the detainees and convicts are being searched suddenly apart from the ordinary monthly and weekly searches. Ventilation of the cells is being restricted arbitrarily.
* Many goods used in the cells are confiscated arbitrarily by Ak in person, e.g. tobacco, tea pots, glasses, blankets, pencil cases, notebooks, radios, magazines or books. The inmates who object the confiscations are being beaten and made subject to disciplinary investigations.
* Disciplinary penalties are mostly given as cell penalties. A convict who has been given three cell penalties loses his right to parole. The detainees and convicts are under permanent physical and psychological oppression.
Disciplinary penalty because of "good morning"
The complaint lists 45 incidents of this kind of rights violations. bianet listed only a few examples:
* On 13 October 2010, Ak said "good morning" to Muzaffer Öztürk who was staying in a cell in the C Block of the prison. When Öztürk did not answer, Ak shouted at him "You are a terrorist". An investigation was launched about Öztürk and he was given a disciplinary penalty.
"Using the radio for purposes other than intended"
* On 10 November 2010, the ventilation hatch in the cell of Veli Özdemir and Murat Aktaş was closed all day long after the inmates had knocked on the door during the morning count. On 26 November 2010, the small pine seedling of Hikmet Kale was confiscated saying that it was forbidden.
* On 10 December 2010, detainees and convicts of Cells C-87, 89, 91, 94, 97 and No.84 were given a one-day cell penalty for chanting slogans. Aligül Alkaya in cell C 61 was beaten on 20 January 2011. Subsequently, his radio was confiscated claiming that he had used it for "purposes other than intended". On 26 January 2011, a picture of Che Guevara and photographs of children were confiscated from cell No.A-29.
* On 17 July 2011, Özcan Bayram was supposed to give his statement in the context of an investigation launched about him. He said that he would not give his statement to Ak who was the actual assailant. Ak got angry and punched Bayram in his face. Another investigation was opened about the prisoner. (AS/VK)