Three prisoners on hunger strike in Aksaray

Three prisoners went on hunger strike in the Aksaray prison. They are resisting the military roll call demanded by the prison management and were attacked by security personnel.

Three prisoners are on hunger strike in the T-type prison of the Central Anatolian province of Aksaray. This was announced by Bişar Bilen, one of the three prisoners, to his father Çeto Bilen in a telephone conversation. The other two prisoners are Mehmet Fatih Bingöl and Ümit Temur. Since July 17, they have been on hunger strike to defend themselves against the military roll call which the prison management wants to force them to do.

According to Çeto Bilen, his son, who has been imprisoned for twelve years, has been mistreated by the prison staff. His son had been on hunger strike in Tarsus prison against the roll call and was transferred to Aksaray in February. During his last conversation with his father, he had been wearing a bandage on his hand and told that he had been attacked by guards and was in a solitary cell.

Çeto Bilen further said: "My son was taken to a six-person cell two weeks ago. During our telephone conversation on Friday, he said that the guards wanted to force the prisoners to stand for roll call. They resisted this and went on a hunger strike. They informed the prison administration in writing. Afterwards guards raided the cell and attacked him and two of his friends. They were then put in solitary confinement."

Çeto Bilen appeals to human rights organizations and asks for support for his son and his comrades.