Ismail Hakkı Tursun (59), who was arrested in Amed on 30 December 1992 and sentenced to life imprisonment, has had his release postponed for the fourth time despite having completed the term of his sentence. Tursun, who is being held in Urfa No. 2 High Security Closed Prison, had his release postponed once again due to a report prepared by the Prison Administration and Monitoring Board stating that he was not showing "good conduct".

Tursun completed the required time to apply for release on 9 December 2022. However, his release was last postponed for 6 months and 5 days on 7 June 2023, and then on 13 December 2023. On 25 September, his release was postponed for another 9 months.

The Board set the next evaluation date as 25 June 2025.

Tursun appealed the decision through his lawyer.

Who is Ismail Hakki Tursun?

Arrested on 30 December 1992 on the grounds of "aiding an illegal organization", Tursun was put in Antep H Type Closed Prison. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on the charge of "disrupting the unity and integrity of the state". He was transferred to Elbistan E Type Closed Prison on 4 October 2011, and then to Siverek No. 1 T Type Closed Prison on 6 July 2015. He has been a prisoner in Urfa No. 2 High Security Closed Prison since 28 September 2016.

Tursun is on the list of seriously ill prisoners of the Human Rights Association (IHD).