Journalist Perihan Sevda Erkılınç, a reporter for Özgür Gelecek, who suffers from celiac disease and asthma, was unlawfully detained during a home raid just before May Day and is now in worsening health. Eren Keskin, co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), visited her in Bakırköy Women's Prison and spoke to ANF, drawing attention to the fact that Erkılınç is being denied medical treatment in prison and has lost significant weight.

"Police prevented her from taking asthma medication and using the toilet alone"

Keskin visited Erkılınç on Thursday, 19 June, and said that the long-time journalist for Özgür Gelecek was detained during a house raid on 29 April, just before May Day. During the raid, police tried to prevent Erkılınç, who has asthma, from taking her inhaler with her. “Sevda was only able to take her medication after persistently explaining the severity of her condition to a police officer. They even tried to stop her from using the bathroom alone during the raid. She had to argue about this too and was only allowed to relieve herself after a female officer left the door slightly ajar,” said Keskin.

"Strip search was imposed"

Keskin noted that Erkılınç was held in custody for three days at Vatan Police Headquarters before being unlawfully arrested at Çağlayan Courthouse. On top of this, she was subjected to a strip search upon arrival at Bakırköy Women’s Prison. Keskin stated that Erkılınç resisted and refused this degrading practice, entering the prison without being subjected to a strip search.

"Access to infirmary denied"

Keskin explained that Erkılınç suffers from both asthma and celiac disease, and added: “People with celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet, or they can suffer immediate attacks. When I saw her, she was extremely thin because she cannot eat. Although she informed the prison administration about her condition, she said they made it very difficult for her to get the proper nutrition. Sometimes they bring food she can eat, but mostly they don’t. She said they only give her gluten-free bread once or twice a week, so she is forced to survive on just cheese. She also stated that her requests to visit the infirmary have been denied, which means she can’t access medication either.”

"Still no indictment"

Keskin also pointed out that although Erkılınç was detained on the grounds of May Day, an indictment has still not been prepared: “Each day she remains in prison further deteriorates her health. She is truly ill and dangerously underweight. Prison is not a suitable environment for someone with celiac disease. She is not properly fed, nor allowed to see a doctor. These are serious problems. Moreover, Sevda is a journalist, and this is known to everyone. The only reason for her arrest is her journalistic activities. This in itself constitutes a major rights violation.”

"She must be released immediately"

Stressing that the imprisonment of journalists for their professional work is a grave injustice, Keskin said: “On the one hand, there is talk of peace, but on the other, repression against freedom of expression and the right to organize is intensifying. People are being arrested for doing their jobs and are losing their health while being held in prison for months. This is unacceptable. Sevda Erkılınç must be released immediately.”