6 prisoners in Sincan High Security Closed Prison No 1 were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months each for "damaging public property" on 28 April 2024. Ankara West 15th Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced the prisoners to 1 year and 6 months each on the grounds that they cut the cage wires on the windows of the prison. The court also explained the reasoning for its decision.

 

'WIRES AGAINST HUMAN DIGNITY'

 

The justified verdict included the statements of the prisoners. In their defence statements in Kurdish at the hearing held on 14 December 2023, the prisoners emphasised that the wires placed on the windows are against human dignity. They also stated that the prison administration continued this practice for the purpose of "psychological torture".

 

Prisoner Bedri Akın said, "This practice is a reflection of fascism. The wires attached to our windows have been turned into a means of both physical and psychological torture. We defend our right to live humanely". Akın stated that the prison administration had previously promised to remove the wires but did not fulfil this promise.

 

Prisoner Ramazan Kızıldağ said, "The wires completely prevent fresh air and sunlight. This is not a living space, but a cage. We have petitioned the administration many times, but we were ignored."

 

In the reasoned decision of the court, it was claimed that the actions of the prisoners were within the scope of the offence of "damaging public property". The court stated that no reduction in the sentence was made on the grounds of the prisoners' past convictions and their lack of "remorse".

 

According to the court decision, the sentences given to the defendants will be executed according to the "execution regime specific to repeat offenders". The way of appeal was kept open.

 

MA / Fırat Can Arslan