Allegations of severe torture in İstanbul

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Gülten Matur was sent to the courthouse this morning following a health check. She told her lawyer that she was taken into custody a week ago and was subject to severe torture, such as falaka (foot whipping), strappado, electric shocks and brutal beatings.

Her lawyer Seda Şaraldı said she saw traces of torture on her body.

"She was detained on November 20 and told that she was tortured by batons, electricity, and brutal beatings. Her body has signs of severe torture. She was kept in a padded cell. She said that the place where she was held was in İstanbul, but she did not know where it was because her face and eyes were covered. Those who tortured her were also wearing ski masks."

Doctor's report

The doctor's report prepared after the examination as part of the detention proceedings stated the following:

"Swelling and bruising on the nose, swelling and bruising in both zygomatic regions, cuff marks on both wrists, 20x10 cm, 15x10 cm, 10x10 cm ecchymoses in the left leg anterolateral region, 2 2x2 cm wounds on the left ankle posterior, left knee anterior 4x4 cm bruise, 6x6 cm bruise on the back, 8x8 ecchymosis in the right gluteal region, 6x6 cm and 4x4 bruises in the anterolateral region of the right leg, 4x5 ecchymosis in the left shoulder, two times 2x2 and one time 3x3 ecchymosis in the upper part of the left arm, 2x2 cm ecchymosis in the upper left chest. Numerous 1x1 bruises on the right forearm, numerous 1x1 bruises in the abdomen, hyperemia in the left ear, existing eardrum perforation."

Arrested and released

The state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) and the pro-government media reported yesterday (November 28) that the top executive of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) in Türkiye was nabbed.

Matur was detained based on "being a member of an armed terrorist organization" and taken in by a joint operation of MİT (National Intelligence Organization) and the police department.

The People's Law Office (HHB) said in a statement, "In the case of Matur, who was arrested on the same charge in 2017 on the basis of statements by a confessor and was subsequently released, the prosecutor gave the opinion that she should be acquitted of 'managing an organization.'

"The tortures inflicted on our client can be seen even with the naked eye." (AS/WM/VK)