Doctor allegedly threatens ill prisoner: ‘You will fall into my hands’

* Photo: Justice Ministry

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An application has been made to the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission about the alleged violations in a prison in Giresun.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Siirt MP and Group Deputy Chair Meral Danış Beştaş has applied to the Commission and requested an investigation into the allegations that ill prisoner Erdal Emeç was threatened and insulted by the physician whom he was referred to.

In her petition to the Parliamentary Commission, the MP has recounted the incident at a public hospital in Giresun briefly as follows:

37 years of age, 9 years in prison

"Erdal Emeç is 37 years old; he has been in prison for 9 years. He had stayed in the Diyarbakır Type D Prison, Edirne Type F Prison and Tarsus Closed Prison, respectively; he was transferred to the Espiye Type L Closed Prison in Giresun afterwards. He has been there for 2.5 years.

"Held in the Espiye Type L Closed and Open Penal Institution, convict Erdal Emeç has been unable to walk for five years due to the muscle tear and cruciate ligaments rupture. His illness has advanced and he was taken to the Giresun Public Hospital as a result of the negotiations with the prison administration. He was examined by an orthopedist there and the orthopedist referred him to the tomography department.

'Doctor wanted a CT scan in handcuffs'

"The doctor working in the tomography department wanted to have the CT scan of Emeç's knee taken while he was handcuffed.

"When the ill prisoner protested the CT scan in handcuffs, he was first subjected to insults, then to physical violence by the doctor.

"Even the gendarmerie officers reportedly recommended taking off the prisoner's handcuffs, but the doctor did not accept it, either and the relatives of the prisoners informed me that the doctor told Erdal Emeç, 'You will fall into my hands soon, I will tear you into pieces. Your surgery document is in my hands. You will see. I will tear you into pieces.'

'Concerned about being sent to the same doctor'

"Taken to the prison without being treated, Emeç has not been informed about the day of the surgery by the prison administration.

"Emeç has told his family that he will be brought to the same doctor for the surgery and he does not know what will be done to him at the hospital where he is to be taken soon, which makes him concerned.

"He has also alleged that similar acts have been committed by the physicians of Giresun Public Hospital for years.

"Noting that the doctor of the prison's sick room does not refer emergency patients to hospital for years, Emeç has said that the doctor of the sick room shares prisoners' private information with the doctors of public hospital and they are subjected to ill treatment there for this reason."

'Hospital officials must be met'

In her application to the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission, HDP's Meral Danış Beştaş has said, "What has been shared by Erdal Emeç's family has apparently been a violation of the right to access medical treatment and healthcare." She has requested that the issue be investigated and information be given to her about the issue.

"The fact that a person is in prison is not an obstacle to his or her right to treatment. This is a minimum human right and must be considered together with the right to life," the MP has said, adding that it is crucial for the Parliamentary Commission "to work on the issue and for a meeting to be held with the Espiye Prison as well as with the hospital officials who responsible for the failure to complete the examination of Emeç." (AS/SD)