Governorship of Adana: Prof. Dr. Haluk Savaş Will Be Given Passport

* Photograph: Facebook account of Haluk Savaş

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Governorship of Adana has released a statement on Prof. Dr. Haluk Savaş, a physician and academic who was discharged by a statutory decree during the State of Emergency and not permitted to go abroad for his cancer treatment though his international travel ban has been lifted.

The Governorship has announced that a passport will be issued for Prof. Dr. Haluk Savaş within the scope of "exceptional circumstances" as per the Article 22 of the Law no. 5682 on Passports.

Having served time in prison and being acquitted of the offense charged, Prof. Dr. Savaş shared a message on his Twitter account on May 13, 2019 and announced that he is not permitted to go abroad for his cancer treatment, which is not provided in Turkey.

It was also announced yesterday (May 15) that the documents regarding Haluk Savaş werre sent to the Ministry of Justice. 

An online petition has also been launhced for Prof. Dr. Savaş on change.org with the title "Let Haluk Savaş Live."

CLICK - Petition for Discharged Physician: 'Let Haluk Savaş Live'

What happened?

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Prof. Dr. Haluk Savaş was discharged from his duty at the Medical School of Gaziantep University by a Statutory Decree during the State of Emergency. Having served time in prison and being acquitted of the offense charged, Prof. Dr. Savaş shared a message on his Twitter account on May 13, 2019 and announced that he is not permitted to leave Turkey for another country for his cancer treatment.

In his Twitter messages, Savaş stated that an officer from the Adana Governorship told him that "since he was discharged by a Statutory Decree, his passport has also been cancelled." Shortly afterwards, this issue has sparked outrage on social media and several media have shared messages under the hashtag #HalukSavaşaPasaport (Passport to Haluk Savaş).

With his passport cancelled and not being renewed though he has no legal travel restrictions, Savaş has been struggling to receive a cancer treatment that is not provided in Turkey. (AÖ/SD)