Imprisoned journalists Nedim Türfent and Ziya Ataman spoke with other prisoners in the Van High Security Prison about the Covid-19 outbreak.

The detainees stated that their lives were in danger with the rising of positive cases in prison.

Prisons are among the most vulnerable places as conditions are favourable for the spread of the coronavirus. In fact, the number of cases and deaths is increasing by the day especially because of the insufficient measures.

Thousands of prisoners were released with the amendment made to the Law of Execution last April, but political prisoners were excluded from the amendment.

Van High Security Closed Prison is one of the jails were coronavirus cases have been reported. Journalists Nedim Türfent and Ziya Ataman, who are held in this prison, talked to ill prisoners in prison about the epidemic and sent articles related to it to MA agency by letter.

Hikmet Kara, who has been under arrest for 28 years, is 48. He is one of the prisoners in the risk group as he suffers from heart, diabetes and stomach problems. He had stomach bleeding 4 times so far. Kara said: “I informed all relevant institutions about my chronic diseases. Nobody has come back to me; nobody took any action. I wanted to have a test but the request was refused. It is not possible to be in the potential risk group and not to worry. Because there are both positive cases and insufficient measures in this prison. I have resisted 28 years in prison, it would really be a bad joke to fall victim of a virus! This is not an acceptable situation. It is neither moral nor humane."

Vahdettin Erdemci (47), is another ill prisoner in the risk group as he suffers from asthma, COPD and lung failure. Stating that he was tested on August 11, Erdemci said: “While I was being tested in the infirmary, the Prison Director was also there. He was in a panic because of the numbers. If the necessary tests are done, a very disastrous picture may occur. Let alone the treatment options and the right to health, we are taken to the infirmary too late. Our life is seriously endangered. We call on the public to be sensitive.”

Sinan Kare, who has a chronic and asthma disease, stated that he had been hospitalized once in the last 2 months for gallbladder disease, but he was not tested for Covid-19 on his return to the ward. Expressing that the prisoners returning from the hospital demanded testing within the 14-day quarantine period, Kare said: “The doctor asks for the symptoms. He is taking your temperature. There are people who do not have any symptoms. Experts warn about it every day. That way they may have carried the virus in. I am also worried about my ward friends”.

Mehmet Özçelik (58), who is a diabetic patient, emphasized that the cases are increasing in Van in general and said: “If adequate and necessary precautions were taken, the virus might not have penetrated. Prisoners with chronic diseases should be released and treated immediately."

71-year-old Abdulbaki Alp, who was arrested when he was a member of the Muş Provincial Council, is also in the risk group due to his advanced age. Expressing his concern Alp said: “We requested a test, but nothing happened. There were positive cases, but only temperature is taken. If things turn bad, the authorities will be held responsible.”