ANTALYA – The health conditions of dozens of seriously ill prisoners held in Antalya prisons are deteriorating. The Antalya Prisoners and Convicts Families Solidarity Association (TUAY-DER) and the families are calling on the government to enact legal measures and release ill prisoners.

 

Following the “Peace and Democratic Society” call made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, one of the main demands from society was the release of seriously ill prisoners. 

 

However, months after the call, no progress has been made, and public demands have been ignored. Many prisoners in Antalya prisons face life-threatening health risks due to worsening conditions.

 

Among the most critical cases are Devrim Ayık, Burhan Güneş, Abdülhamit Özdemir, and Neslihan Çetin. TUAY-DER Co-Chair Nazime Bayhan emphasized that these prisoners are pushed closer to death each day and despite repeated lawyer visits, no improvements are made.

 

She highlighted that Burhan Güneş suffers from more than 10 diseases and Neslihan Çetin’s condition has severely worsened. Bayhan urged the state to take sincere action, calling on everyone not to remain silent and to resist these injustices.

 

Kurdish artist Axîn Biro (İbrahim Ertaş), imprisoned in Manavgat S-Type Closed Prison, suffers from prostate issues, diabetes, and multiple allergies aggravated by Antalya’s climate. His daughter Sarya Ertaş stated that despite repeated requests for transfer, no positive response has been received, and the prison conditions are inadequate for his treatment.

 

Another seriously ill prisoner, Neslihan Çetin, underwent thyroid surgery in 2021 due to toxic goiter and must take lifelong hormone medication. Her father, Halife Çetin, expressed grave concerns over her life being endangered due to imprisonment and called for her transfer to a closer facility or release, emphasizing the family’s inability to frequently visit her due to their age and distance.