Police attacked the ‘bloody coffin’ protest that the Initiative for Solidarity with Prisoners staged in front of the Forensic Medicine Institution in Istanbul against increasing torture and deaths in prisons. Three activists were detained.
The Initiative for Solidarity with Prisoners (TDI) organised a ‘bloody coffin’ protest in front of the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) in Yenibosna, Istanbul to raise concern over the increasing torture and deaths in Turkey’s prisons. The activists were blocked by the police.
Carrying a bloody coffin, the members of the initiative raised concern over the death of Ferhan Yılmaz who was brutally tortured in Silivri L Type Prison and died suspiciously two days before his release.
TDI spokesperson Ertan Çıta pointed out that the body of Yılmaz, who reportedly died of a heart attack, had marks of torture, yet, the ATK identified his death as stemming from a "contagious disease".
The police surrounded the members of the initiative, who painted the coffin in red, symbolizing blood.
“This is the coffin of Ferhan Yılmaz, who was murdered by dozens of guards in Silivri prison. This is the coffin of Garibe Gezer, who was tortured to death in Kandıra F Type Prison,” a member of the initiative shouted during the protest.
Activists Abdülmelik Yalçın, Ertan Çıta and Hıdır Sabur were taken into custody. Moreover, reporters who were recording the event were forcibly removed from the area by the police.
