ISTANBUL - Spokesperson of the Imprisoned 78's Initiative, Celalettin Can, stated that "there is no such thing as law in prison. The high isolation system is implemented in the prison and that the lives of especially ill prisoners are at risk.

 

78's Initiative Spokesperson Celalettin Can, who was sued for participating in a one-day "Editor-in-Chief on Duty" campaign in solidarity with the Özgür Gündem newspaper, which was closed by the Decree Law (KHK), was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for "making propaganda for a terrorist organization". After the sentence was finalized, despite his health problems, Can entered prison on September 1. Can, who is currently held in Marmara Closed Prison No. 5, evaluated his health status and prison conditions to the Mezopotamya Agency (MA).

 

'THERE IS NO LAW IN PRISON'

 

Stating there is no such thing as a court, a law or a law in prison, Can said: "The state of detention is directly linked to the decision of the Prison Administration and Observation Board. The functioning of the prison and the future of the prisoners are shaped by the decisions of the board in question. What do the people on the board have to do with us? The most striking one is a technician, for example. How can he make a decision about us? It is impossible to understand how a technician can make decisions about me and people like me. These people do not implement the Supreme Court decisions, laws and court decisions. While the conditions for probation are appropriate, these people may not apply it arbitrarily. The courts are already trying us unlawfully. After the execution, prisons try us a second time using illegal methods."

 

'ISOLATION SYSTEM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED'

 

Drawing attention that he had been in prison for about 20 years in the past, Can said: The current prison conditions were much harsher. Human rights violations have increased greatly. An isolation system is being implemented for prisoners. When I was in prison for many years, they used to torture me heavily, there was heavy violence, we resisted. We were tortured, but we also made gains. Now, the method here is very different. There is a very serious isolation. This is the new appearance of oppression in prison. For example, they take every petition prisoners make.They receive prisoners' every request, but the prisoners never know when the answers will come. Prisoners will not be informed about other wards for the rest of the prison. Isolation is multi-dimensional, in other words, a high isolation system is applied. These practices are very harsh, especially for ill prisoners. Their right to life is under threat."

 

SITUATION OF ILL PRISONERS

 

Stating that prison conditions negatively affect especially politically ill prisoners, Can reminded that he was also hospitalized due to his recent illness. Can explained the violations he experienced during this process as follows: "I experienced an illness that I thought was triggered by sleep apnea. The pain that started in my arm hit my heart along with the numbness, making it difficult for me to even stand. These pains, which were intermittent before, have become more frequent now. Before this illness, I fell on my back with a concussion. I did not want to go to the hospital because it was late. Because there is no adequate, serious treatment. The situation is managed with painkillers-like medications. In cases of these disorders, the necessary treatment must be done in a fully equipped hospital. Even though a month has passed since I went to the forensic medicine, the prison warden said, 'It has not arrived when I asked for the report.'"

 

MA / İbrahim Irmak