‘She comes to visitation in a wheelchair, says, “I will die in prison”’

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Makbule Özer (80) and Hadi Özer (70), a couple who lives in Edremit in Turkey's Kurdish-majority eastern province of Van, were arrested on charge of "aiding and abetting" on May 10, 2022.

The house of the couple was raided on July 24, 2018 on the grounds that there was allegedly "a member of the organization" at the house.

All family members were taken into custody in the raid. A lawsuit was filed against Makbule Özer and Hadi Özer for "aiding and abetting". At the end of the trial, the couple was sentenced to 2 years, 6 months in prison. They have been sent to the Van High Security Prison.

The couple's lawyer Dilan Kunt has spoken to bianet.

'There is no concrete evidence'

Kunt has said that there is no concrete or clear evidence as to the offense of "aiding and abetting". Recalling the offense charged against the two, Kunt has noted that Makbule Özer has been a "bone setter":

"As Ms. Özer has been engaged in this, the people of the region know her. In the incident cited in the case file, a person reportedly came to their house and this person was allegedly the member of the organization.

"This person came to her for his 'fallen belly'. Ms. Özer told him that he should have a bath and then she could treat him. When that person was in the bathroom, the house was raided."

Request for deferring the sentence rejected

According to Kunt, "this is the only evidence in the file and there is nothing else except for this." She has briefly added:

We also have witnesses who testify that the Özer couple has nothing to do with this person. The detained person said it as well. He said that he was at that house because of his 'fallen belly'. But, in spite of this, they have been penalized and arrested.

"As Hadi Özer and Makbule Özer are sick and old, we said that they were not in a condition to stay in prison. So, we made a request for deferring the sentence or placing them under house arrest. But the Judgeship of Execution has rejected this request of ours."

Report says 'she can stay in prison'

Kunt has also indicated that Makbule Özer has a report confirming that she is over 55 percent disabled:

"Makbule Özer was referred to the Forensic Medicine Institution and a report of 'she can stay in prison' has been given for her. A person who comes to visitation in a wheelchair is told that 'she can stay in prison.' We will now make an application to the Constitutional Court."

'Her condition is getting worse'

Kunt has emphasized that Makbule Özer's condition is getting worse and worse, underlining that she must be released as soon as possible:

"Makbule Özer said, 'I will die here.' She is now having concerns about death. She also has asthma and has difficulty breathing. Even though she is given diet food, prison conditions are not suitable for her stay. For this reason, we witness that her condition is gradually getting worse." (FT/RT/SD)