Mehmet Emin Çam, a 61-year-old severely ill prisoner held in Beşiri Type T Closed Prison in Batman, was hospitalized at Batman Training and Research Hospital on April 16 after suffering a heart attack. On the morning of April 22, he was returned to prison.

Şimel Çam, who said her father had been sent back to prison, explained that the decision came as a shock to the family: “It was a surprise for us too, because the doctors had told us, ‘His values are still low, so we are not considering sending him back until he gets better.’ Normally, doctors visited patients around 9 a.m., but this time a doctor came before 9 and suddenly discharged him. The doctor told us that the artery where the angioplasty was performed looked fine, and that the other two arteries would be treated with medication. He also said my father would be called back for a follow-up at a later date and that he would inform the gendarmerie and give them a date. In short, he said he would monitor my father’s condition.

Honestly, we were expecting his release, or at least a suspension of his sentence. As a family, we had hoped that he would be freed, because he is not in a condition to continue his treatment in prison. But today, despite his condition, he was sent back. The fact that two of his heart vessels are still blocked, and yet he was suddenly returned to prison deeply worries us. After his previous heart attack, two of his arteries were opened, but three were still blocked, and doctors said that was a serious risk. That very risk materialized, and he suffered a heart attack. The danger is still there. Yesterday, we were very happy about the release of seriously ill prisoner Özge Özbek. That gave us some hope. We were hoping that my father would also be released from the hospital, as his sentence could have been postponed.”

No positive report from the medical board

Şimel Çam also noted that they plan to reapply to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK), but she emphasized that the medical board has not issued a positive report so far: “We had already submitted an application before my father had his heart attack, and he was evaluated by a medical board. But the board simply referred the case to the Forensic Medicine Institute without making any decision. We were waiting to get his discharge papers before applying again. Today we received those reports and sent them to his lawyers. They said they would file a new application. But here’s the problem. The board described his illness as ‘moderate’ in the report. How can the Forensic Medicine Institute issue a positive ruling based on that? The medical board does not send a supportive report. Last time as well, they refused to make a decision and forwarded the case to the Forensic Medicine Institute without conducting any assessment. That came back to us as a negative response. I hope that doesn’t happen again this time. My father has three blocked arteries. One was treated with angioplasty and a balloon, but the other two are still blocked, but the other two are still around 60 percent blocked. How can a person in that condition be kept in prison? We are hoping to hear some good news soon.”