82-year-old Makbule Özer, who was arrested in Artemêt (Edremit) district of Wan (Van) on May 9, 2022 on the allegation of “aiding an illegal organization” and released on September 7, was arrested again on April 22, 2024 after the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK) reported that she “can stay in prison”.    

 

After 254 days of imprisonment, the ill prisoner completed her sentence and was released.    

 

SHE WAITED 1 HOUR AT THE PRISON GATE 

 

Özer, who was released early in the morning without informing his family, was taken to the outer gate of the prison. Özer, who waited there for about an hour without her family's knowledge, was asked by prison officials to be handed over to the police. After Özer refused, her family was informed.       

 

Özer's family went to the prison as soon as they received the news. Family members met Makbule Özer and waited for various non-governmental organizations and Özer's relatives to arrive. However, soldiers did not allow the family to wait at the prison gate. 

 

Upon this, Özer and her family members waited at a point at the entrance of the city. Upon the soldiers' second warning, Özer and her family went home. After Özer went home, she was visited by many representatives of organizations and parties. 

 

'IF YOU ARE KURDISH YOU ARE CRIMINAL IN THE EYES OF THE GOVERNMENT'    

 

Speaking during the visit, Özer's son Medeni Özer said: “We have been through very difficult processes for both our mother and father. We thank everyone who has not left us alone from the first day until today. For 254 days our mother was in prison. My mother should have been together with her family. But the government carries out a policy based only on Kurdish identity, regardless of age. Everyone born Kurdish is a criminal in the eyes of the government. No matter what they do, the Kurdish people will not give up this cause. Everyone will do their part. We will not give up this struggle until we ensure the physical freedom of Leader of the Kurds Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.” 

 

Mother Makbule Özer thanked everyone for their visit. 

 

WHAT HAPPENED?

 

On July 24, 2018, the houses of Makbule Özer and Hadi Özer, who live in Artemêt (Edremit) district of Wan, were raided on the grounds of “illegal organization membership”. All family members were detained during the raid. Then a lawsuit was filed against Makbule Özer and Hadi Özer on the charge of “knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organization”. The couple was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

 

After the sentence was approved by the Court of Cassation, the couple was arrested on May 9, 2022 and sent to Van High Security Prison. The execution of the sentence of Makbule Özer, who is 61 percent disabled and has many diseases, was postponed for one year based on the ATK's report that she “cannot stay in prison”. Özer was released on September 7, 2022, while her husband Hadi Özer was released after completing his sentence.

 

ATK INTERPRETER TURNED OUT TO BE A 'SECURITY GUARD'

 

After the one-year postponement of her sentence expired, the ATK reported that she “can stay in prison” and Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested a new report to resolve the contradiction between the first and second reports of the ATK. Subsequently, on April 3, 2024, ATK once again issued a report stating that Özer “can stay in prison” and she was sent to Van Type T Closed Prison again on April 22, 2024.