The release of Kasım Karataş (60) and Osman Guide (49), who are held in Tekirdağ No. 2 F Type High Security Closed Prison, was postponed for 3 months on the grounds that they showed "no remorse".

Both prisoners served a 30-year sentence. Kasım Karataş was tried at the İzmir 8th High Criminal Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment on 4 September 1993 for "separatism".

Karataş was transferred to various prisons, such as Izmir-Buca, Aydın, Antep, Karabük, Urfa and Tekirdağ during his 30-year sentence.

Karataş, who is currently being held in Tekirdağ No. 2 F Type High Security Prison, was supposed to be released on 2 August 2023. However, his release was postponed due to the decision made on the report prepared by the Prison Administration and Observation Board.

The Board claimed that Karataş "did not act in accordance with the rules, did not agree to participate in group activities, did not show remorse, did not help the personnel during the searches, did not use his rights in good faith during his imprisonment, received disciplinary punishments many times and was not ready to integrate into society".

Karataş, who is on the list of ill prisoners of the Human Rights Association (IHD), underwent open-heart surgery in 2016. In addition to chronic diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure, Karataş also has stomach ailments.

Osman Kılavuz not released for same reason

Osman Kılavuz, who is held in the same prison, was tried at Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court and was sentenced to life imprisonment on 25 August 1993 for "separatism". He remained in Kocaeli-Kandıra, Ankara No. 2 F Type, Bursa H Type, Aydın-Nazilli, Manisa T Type and Tekirdağ prisons.

The release of Kılavuz was also postponed for 3 months by the same board for the same reason, i.e. that the prisoner did not "show remorse".

The lawyers of Karataş and Kılavuz will appeal against the decision.