Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) group deputy chair İdris Baluken made a statement to the press after a meeting he had with the administrators of the Bingöl M Type Closed Prison and two inmates about the jailbreak of 18 PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) prisoners last Wednesday.

Baluken stated that prison guards and soldiers have increased the repression against inmates and created a heavy psychological environment since the escape. Baluken noted that inmates have also been subject to assaults since the incident.

The BDP deputy said that the 17 captured PKK prisoners will allegedly be transferred to other jails. He criticized the expected transfer, voicing concerns over the whereabouts of 17 prisoners, and noted that their party tried to have the Minister of Justice involved in the matter. He added that the transfer of the inmates has not been confirmed yet.

BDP  group deputy chair also said that Bingöl prison administration has undergone a change as a new director and two deputy directors have been appointed to the prison after a committee of inspection -appointed by the Ministry of Justice- had talks with the 17 inmates and made an examination in the prison following the capture of those involved in the jailbreak.

Baluken said they had warned the prison administration against the reaction people of Bingöl will have in the event that the inmates be subjected to a vindictive treatment due to the escape.

According to Baluken, the 17 prisoners have been displaced and transferred to other wards after the break, and it remains unknown in which wards these inmates are being held at the moment.

Baluken underlined that the inmates were also denied visit by their families and lawyers, adding that the judicial and administrative investigation into the incident continues.

Eighteen PKK prisoners escaped from Bingöl jail three days ago via a tunnel they are believed to have dug over a year period. Seventeen of the men were captured on Thursday in a wide range expansive operation by security forces, said Interior Minister Muammer Güler.

The fate of the 18th fugitive, Ekrem Taş, still remains unclear with reports of ongoing air supported operations to find him.