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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pardoned three ill inmates by three decrees published on the Official Gazette today (November 7).
Pardoned by a Presidential decree, 45-year-old Mustafa Karaman was given a prison sentence of 15 years and a judicial fine for "willful killing" and "use of unregistered firearm" and sentenced to 9 months in prison for "willful injury of a public officer". The 3rd Forensic Medicine Specialized Board of Forensic Medicine Institute previously gave a medical report for Karaman, indicating that he suffers from "permanent illness, disability and old age".
As for 43-year-old Uğur Fidancı from Yozgat, another pardoned ill inmate, he was previously released on probation after being sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for "willful killing". As he was convicted of "insult and willful injury of a public officer", his verdict of release on probation was repealed and the court ruled that the execution of his first prison sentence should remain in effect. Fidancı has also been pardoned based on a medical report issued by the 3rd Specialized Board of Forensic Medicine Institute.
Lastly, 47-year-old İsmail İpek from Konya was given a judicial fine and sentenced to 42 years, 18 months on charges of "qualified robbery, resisting a public officer, possession of hazardous substances without permission and possession of unregistered firearm." İpek also has a medical report, indicating that he suffers from "permanent illness, disability and old age."
1,333 prisoners and convicts behind bars
CLICK - Arrested 45 Days Ago, 79-Year-Old Inmate Loses His Life
According to a statement released by the Human Rights Association (İHD) Ankara Branch, 39 ill inmates lost their lives in prisons of Turkey between early 2017 and August 2019.
In a recent statement, the İHD has announced that there are currently 1,333 prisoners behind bars, 457 of them in critical condition. (AS/SD)
