Prisoner on hunger strike for 117 days demands transfer

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Nedim Öztürk has been on a hunger strike for 117 days due to the conditions at Sincan High-Security Prison No. 2, in Ankara, where he was transferred to just 10 days before his release. His demand is to be transferred to a prison with more normal conditions.

His sister Meral Halisdemir told bianet that the 62-year-old prisoner who began his hunger strike on April 24 has seen his health worsen even further during this period due to his many years of imprisonment. She described how his weight has dropped from 64 kilograms to 45 kilograms and how he has begun to experience numbness in his body.

Meral Halisdemir said, "My brother was supposed to be released on June 4, but just 10 days before his release, we learned that his release was postponed and he was sent to Sincan in Ankara. He had been in Tekirdağ and Burhaniye prisons before. In Sincan, he is kept alone in a single-person cell for 23 hours and only allowed one hour of outdoor time."

Being in prison since 2006, her brother's only request is to complete his sentence in a normal prison rather than enduring the aggravated life imprisonment conditions in a high-security facility, she added, "Even a Type-F prison would do..."

During this time, both Meral Halisdemir and Öztürk himself have applied to various official authorities, including the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution, but have not received any response.

Meral Halisdemir said, "Our time is running out, his health is in a bad state. My brother is longing for human contact, fresh air, and sunlight. He is kept in a cell for 23 hours during these hot days. Please hear our plea." (AS)