Ergin Aktaş, who took part in a three-day warning hunger strike with paralysed inmate Ali Haydar Yıldız in protest at inhumane conditions in the Metris R Type Prison, has been transferred to the Ümraniye F Type Prison as a punishment. It has emerged that after the three-day hunger strike Ergin Aktaş was told by the prison governor that he was being punished for 'Disturbing the tranquillity of the prison' and was transferred on 14 November.

Ergin Aktaş’s cousin Ahmet Aktaş spoke to ANF, saying that instead of being released sick prisoners were being transferred to other prisons. Aktaş added: “This cruelty of the state is a crime against humanity. Ergin said that in the event of the three-day hunger strike not achieving results they would launch an indefinite hunger strike."

Ergin Aktaş was convicted of membership of the PKK. His hands start at the wrist and he has a stomach ulcer, but he has not been released despite a report from the Forensic Laboratory to the effect that 'He cannot carry on living in prison on account of severe illness'. Instead a report from the Anti-Terror Branch claiming he is 'a threat to society' is used as justification for refusing to release him.

‘HE IS DISTURBING THE TRANQUILLITY OF THE PRISON!’

Ergin Aktaş’s cousin Ahmet Aktaş told ANF that Ergin had phoned them to say that he had been transferred in a rush, adding: "Ergin said that the prison governor told him he was misbehaving, disturbing the tranquillity of the prison and causing them problems. He was even told the lie that we had phoned and thanked them. Are we going to thank them for leaving our children to die in solitary confinement?

‘THE STATE IS COMMITTING A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY'

Ahmet Aktaş said he had witnessed in person the conditions in which sick prisoners were being held in Metris R Type Prison, adding: “Sick prisoners are being left there to die. They aren't even taken to the sick bay, let alone receiving treatment. Things brought in by families are refused. We took gloves in for Ergin to protect his wrists from tea, as he has no hands, or to keep him warm, but they refused to take them.”

Ahmet Aktaş said that he had seen inmate Ali Haydar Yıldız, who is paralysed, during his latest visit to the prison, “I was very upset when I saw Ali Haydar Yıldız. His flesh has begun to putrefy, and has a strange smell. Instead of releasing them, they transfer them. The state is committing a crime against humanity," he said.

‘IS THIS HOW THE PRISONS ARE GOING TO BE EMPTIED’

Another cousin of Ergin Aktaş, Ramazan Aktaş, noted that the news of their cousin's transfer had come during a period when PM Erdoğan had talked in Amed of prisons being emptied, saying: “The Prime Minister talks about emptying the prisons, but rather than release sick prisoners, about whom the Kurdish people are deeply concerned, they punish them for a second time by transferring them."

Ramazan Aktaş drew attention to the fact that despite Ergin Aktaş having a Forensic Laboratory report the prison prosecutor had based his decision on a report prepared by the Anti-Terror Branch claiming he “is a threat to society”. Ramazan Aktaş emphasised that the family would not remain silent in face of this savagery, saying: "If Ergin's situation worsens the state will be responsible."