Actions in Istanbul and Ankara to call for the release of ill prisoners.

ISTANBUL

The members of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Prison Commission in Istanbul held their weekly “F sit in” action on their social media accounts because of the coronavirus pandemic. This was action 433.

In a statement made by commission’s member Meral Nergis Şahin, attention was drawn to the situation of Kemal Gömi, a seriously ill prisoner in Metris R Type Closed Prison.

Şahin said that Kemal Gömi, who was born in 1969, was arrested in 1993 and first taken to Ümraniye Prison.

"Kemal Gömi's health problems start to increase in 2003. He was treated at Kocaeli State Hospital and Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital several times. He was diagnosed with "Residual Schizophrenia, permanent disease" in the report dated September 2010. It is stated that he can be pardoned by the President under Article 3.

Kemal Gömi is still kept in a single cell. We want Kemal Gömi and all ill prisoners to be released."

ANKARA

In Ankara, the Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative drew attention to the health status of prisoner Yusuf Yakşi who is suffering from cancer.

Speaking at the meeting held at the IHD Branch in the 305th week of his actions, IHD MYK Member Nuray Çevirmen drew attention to the health status of prisoner Yusuf Yakşi, who is held in Sincan No. 1 L Type Closed Prison. "30-year-old Yakşi fell ill during his days in Erzurum H Type Closed Prison, where he was on remand and was diagnosed as having a mass in his throat on 14 August 2019 as a result of the analysis."

Underlining that Yakşi was diagnosed with throat cancer, Çevirmen said: "He cannot look after his needs alone."