VAN - Ejder Yazıcı, nephew of the ill prisoner Bişar Yazıcı, who passed away, said: “Officially, the death penalty may have been removed from the law, but ATK supports death. It leaves people to die with the decisions it makes.”

 

According to the data of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Central Prisons Commission, 13 prisoners, 2 women and 11 men, lost their lives in the first 7 months of 2023. One of the prisoners, Bişar Yazıcı (52), who lost his life in prison, was arrested 5 years ago on the grounds of confidential witness statements, although he has been struggling with liver failure and cirrhosis since 2009. After being detained for 4 months, Yazıcı was released pending trial, and after 3 years, he was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for "being a member of a terrorist organization". Yazıcı, who was arrested in a raid 2 years ago and sent to Van High Security Closed Prison, relapsed due to prison conditions. The health condition of Yazıcı, who was given a report that he could "be held in prison" by the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK), 6 months after his arrest, got worse day by day. Yazıcı died on July 8 at Dicle University Hospital, where he was being treated.

 

THE PRISON CONDITIONS TRIGGERED THE DISEASE OF YAZICI

 

Stating that his uncle was killed by ATK, Ejder Yazıcı, Bişar Yazıcı's nephew, said: "After his uncle's arrest, my health condition deteriorated and despite all the symptoms, I was dragged to death by the ATK with reports that 'he could be held in prison'. As my uncle was held in prison, his condition was gotting worse day by day. He was taken to Van Regional Training and Research Hospital when he fell ill a short time ago. He was taken to the gastroenterology department and endoscopy was performed despite liver disease. They took him back to prison the same day after the endoscopy. A week later, when his condition worsened, he was taken to the hospital again. He is brought and taken to prison without any intervention. His lungs were collecting water because he had cirrhosis. His condition worsened with the endoscopy they performed."

 

'ATK SUPPORTS DEATH'

 

Stating that the death penalty was officially abolished in Turkey, Yazıcı said: "The death penalty may have been officially removed from the law, but ATK leads people to death with its decisions. It gives a report to those who have cancer, do not have two hands, have no feet and cannot take care of themselves, 'can be held in prison'. This is a method of killing."

 

Noting that Bişar Yazıcı was taken to ATK 3 times and each time a report was given that he could " be held in prison", Yazıcı said: "The doctor who performed the endoscopy at the Van Regional Research Hospital lastly assumed the role of the ATK committee and gave a report of 'he can be held in prison'. Although that doctor saw my uncle's condition himself, he gave this report. This is destruction, deliberate killing. Something more serious than execution, because they kill slowly. They are doing this so that both the prisoner and his family will suffer.”

 

THE  ANNIHILATION OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE 

 

Evaluating the situation as a step towards annihilation of the Kurdish people, Yazıcı said: “A month ago, we saw that 4 Hezbollahists left. These people were detained on very serious charges. But they still left. When it comes to Kurds, they arrest them with secret witness statements and never let them go. They held them in prison until they die.”