The 354th ‘F sit-in’ that was to be staged in Galatasaray Square, in Istanbul, was denied permission by the police.

The press statement upon the obstruction by the police was read by activists in front of the Human Rights Association (IHD) building.

Activists drew attention to the situation of ill prisoner Uğur Selman Kelekçiler.

Ferid Barut, member of the IHD Prison Commission read the press release this week. He stressed that hundreds of seriously ill prisoners are not granted release despite the reports by the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) confirming that they cannot be held in jail.

One of these seriously ill prisoners is Uğur Selman Kelekçiler, said Barut, adding: “Uğur Selman Kelekçiler was born in Diyarbakır in 1989 and has been receiving treatment for psychological disorders since the first year of high school.”

Kelekçiler was diagnosed with a severe schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, said Barut and continued: “he was also diagnosed with atypical psychosis by Bakırköy Mental Health and Neurological Disorders Hospital and was given 45% disability.”

Uğur Selman Kelekçiler, because of these diseases could not work in a continuous work, and he was selling simit (ring-shaped bread covered with sesame seeds) for a living. On 28 March 2018 she was detained in the operation carried out against GUN Printing House and charged with being “a member of an illegal organization” and “making propaganda for an illegal organization”.

Uğur Selman was not given medication for 10 of the 14 days of custody, and the family said Selman is like “a living dead” when was taken to Silivri No. 5 L Type Prison, were the situation had worsened.

His lawyer could not communicate properly with him for preparing his defense.

Barut pointed out that Selman reached the stage to be sent three times in a week to Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital. However, he was sent back to the prison.

He was finally admitted to Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital on 8 November 2018.

Barut, said Selman, is currently receiving treatment in Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital, but reports issued by the hospital are not been taken into consideration by the court.

Barut stated that Uğur Selman Kelekçiler had been held in prison for months without any legal ground, and demanded his immediate release.