'Ill prisoner Yusuf Akbaba threatened with death'

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The Human Rights Association (İHD) Prisons Commission has called for the release of ill prisoner Yusuf Akbaba, who has diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Akbaba (57) has been in prison for 29 years and is currently at the Denizli Type-T Prison, İHD member Mahmet Acettin said at the association's 509th "F Sessions" on Saturday (December 25).

The prisoner has severe visual impairment and wounds in his feet because of his health problems, said Acettin.

Noting that Akbaba was often not taken to the hospital, Acettin said, "When he is [taken to the hospital], the prescribed drugs are not given to him and he is quarantined for long periods. He is kept in a single person cell even though he has difficulties meeting his basic needs on his own."

As a political prisoner, Akbaba is kept in a cell on the same corridor as other prisoners and "constantly threatened with death by being marked as a target," said Acettin.

He should be released for his right to access healthcare and right to life, added the İHD member.

Between December 9 and 19, seven ill prisoners lost their lives, according to the İHD:

• Garibe Gezer (Kandıra No. 1 Type-F Prison)
• Abdurrazzak Şuyur (Şakran Type-T Closed Prison)
• Halil Güneş (Diyarbakır No. 2 High Security Prison)
• İlyas Demir (Bolu Type-T Closed Prison)
• Vedat Erkmen (Tekirdağ No.2 Type-F Prison)
• M. Gaffar (Antalya Type-E Prison)
• Salih Toğrul (lost his life shortly after the enforcement of his sentence was deferred). (RT/VK)