ANKARA – Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative demand the release of 70-year-old seriously ill prisoner Abdulmenaf Aytaç, who has difficulty walking.

 

Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative made their 488th weekly press release regarding the situation of ill prisoners in front of the Ankara Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD).

 

In the statement, while the banner "Treatment is a Right, It Cannot Be Obstructed, Ill Prisoners Must Be Released" was unfurled, IHD Ankara Branch Co-Chair Ömer Faruk Yazıcı said that there are 1,517 sick prisoners in prisons, 651 of whom are seriously ill.

 

'HE WAS EXILED'

 

In this week's action, the initiative drew attention to the situation of ill prisoner Abdulmenaf Aytaç in Erzurum Type H Closed Prison. Yazıcı said that 70-year-old ill prisoner Abdulmenaf Aytaç was arrested on May 27, 2023 and put in Çanakkale Type E Closed Prison, and also noted that Aytaç is in detainee status since the file is currently in the Court of Appeal. Yazıcı said: "While he was in Çanakkale, he was first put in a single cell on the grounds that there was no political prison ward. As a result of the objection made by the family, the applications made to the IHD and the negotiations; Taken from a single room. However, this time, as if to be even more punishing, he was exiled against his will to Erzurum Type H Closed Prison, which is far from Çanakkale, the province where his family lives."

 

AYTAÇ HAS MANY DISEASES'

 

Yazıcı said that prisoner Aytaç had to use medication constantly because he had chronic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and prostate disease, and added: "The thyroid glands in his throat were removed by surgery due to suspicion of cancer, and for this he has to use medication for life. Due to his old age and illnesses, his health condition is not good and he can walk with the support of a cane. Since he is not currently in a position to take care of himself in prison, he can only continue his life with the support of his friends."

 

'IT WAS OBSERVED THAT HE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY WALKING'

 

Yazıcı also said that captive Aytaç has a problem with forgetfulness, has difficulty maintaining balance, and has pneumonia in 2022 and was diagnosed with cystic disease, adding: “Cysts were detected in his liver on December 1, 2022. Inflammation occurred in the duodenal lining and stomach lining. Although Abdulmenaf Aytaç needs moral support due to both his age and health, he has difficulty in visiting his family due to the distance and financial burden. This situation negatively affects his health psychologically. During the last visit, his family observed that the prisoner was weakened and has difficulty walking."

 

'DEMAND FOR EVACUATION AND REFERRAL'

 

Yazıcı asked for the treatment of the ill prisoner Aytaç, who cannot stay in prison due to his old age and health problems, and said: "We demand that he be released so that he can be cared for by his family and that he be transferred to a place close to his family during this process."