Sick prisoner Ergin Aktaş, who was transferred from the Metris R Type prison to the Ümraniye T Type prison as a punishment for “disturbing the tranquillity of the prison” has now been denied visitors.

Ahmet Aktaş, a cousin of Ergin Aktaş, told ANF that when he went to visit his cousin on 25 November he was turned away from Ümraniye T Type prison. Ahmet Aktaş said the reason he was given was that Ergin Aktaş is serving a life sentence with no parole. Ahmet Aktaş emphasised that he had visited his cousin every week in Metris prison without a problem, adding: "Instead of improving the conditions of sick prisoners they are isolating them completely from the outside world."

The oppression suffered by Ergin Aktaş, who has no hands, is another example of the systematic persecution of sick inmates in Turkish prisons.

SYSTEMATIC PERSECUTION

Aktaş, who was one of 18 sick prisoners transferred to the Metris prison in order to receive treatment in June this year, has a medical report stating that he should not be in prison. However, following the police being given extra powers by changes to legislation, his release has been prevented by the Anti-Terror Branch saying he is 'a threat to society'. This spelt the beginning of Aktaş's suffering. After not even being taken to the sick bay at Metris, Aktaş participated in a 3-day hunger strike in protest at inhumane treatment with Ali Haydar Yıldız, who is paralysed. However, the prison authorities, instead of improving conditions, then punished Aktaş, transferring him to Ümraniye T Type prison for "disturbing the tranquillity of the prison".

THIS IS ISOLATION, PERSECUTION, TORTURE!

Ahmet Aktaş said that he had been flabbergasted to hear the explanation given by prison officers at Ümraniye T Type prison when he went to visit his cousin, adding: "I explained to them that there was no such procedure at the Metris prison and that I had visited my cousin there every week, but it had no effect. They told me that every 15 days there was a closed visit with communication by telephone and an open visit once a month for parents and siblings only".

“As if it was not enough for them to declare him a threat when in fact he is sick, they now transfer him and cut off all contact with the outside world", said Ahmet Aktaş, adding: "They say come once a fortnight. This is absolute persecution and torture both for Ergin and for us."