Women prisoners in Van M-Type Prison got examined one by one following the allegations that they were raped and harassed by male prisoners during the disorder and rebellion in the prison on October 23, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the city and the area, causing a great damage.

According to the information received, prisoners who started a revolt after the Van earthquake for lack of security were transferred to prisons in Muþ and Erzurum after the revolt was quelled.

While Erzurum Public Prosecution Office launched an investigation concerning the issue, Ministry of Justice made a written statement and contradicted the allegations. The statement of the Ministry said;

“Regarding it as necessary to make a statement concerning the events in Van M-Type Prison alleged by some press organs on October 27, 2011, we announce that the allegations of rape and harassment of woman prisoners were investigated by Erzurum Public Prosecution Office and the examinations of Forensic Medicine Institute didn’t confirm the allegations nor encountered indication of rape or harassment of women prisoners.”