DİYARBAKIR - Ferit Orak, who was released after his release was delayed twice, said: “Release has turned into postponing torture. In the last 3 years, more than 20 people have been prevented from being evacuated."

 

The violations of rights experienced by the prisoners increased even more after the "Regulation on the Management of Penitentiary Institutions and the Execution of Penalties and Security Measures" came into force as of March 31, 2020. The Administration and Monitoring Board (İGK), which was formed in prisons one year after the regulation, prevents the release of prisoners who have completed their release. The release of 35-year-old Ferit Orak from Bolu Type F Closed Prison, which was chosen as the pilot prison for the application, was delayed twice.

 

Orak, who was held in Mersin, Amed, Bandırma, Şirnex and Bolu prisons for 14 years after his arrest, should have been released on December 16, 2022, while his right to parole was postponed twice for 3 months. Orak was released from Bolu Prison on June 16, where he was held for 7 years. Orak spoke about the violations in the prison and the situation of the prisoners.

 

THE RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS IS POSTPONED

 

Noting that more than 20 people have been prevented from being released in Bolu in the last 3 years, Orak said: "Only 2 prisoners were released during this period. Releases are arbitrarily postponed for 3 or 6 months. Why aren't prisoners released? It is not reported. When the day of the release comes, they throw a paper out the door and leave. They used to have reasons, now they don't even need to give reasons. Release in Bolu Prison has turned into torture because they postpone it arbitrarily. For example; Deniz Güzel has been in prison for an extra year and a half. This is not enough, punishments are given for 'destroying the camera', 'the guards objecting', 'not standing up during the counting time' and 'not throwing out the garbage',"

 

THE STATUS OF THE PATIENT PRISONERS

 

Referring to the situation of the seriously ill detainees Muzaffer Alkış, Levent Cin and Cemal Tarhan, Orak said: “They took Alkış and Tarhan to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute. Each of them at the age of 70-80 are not in a position to eat and walk on their own. Despite all these problems, the report was given that they could be held in prison. I was last able to see Cemal Tarhan walking down the aisle with the help of friends. The Judiciary and prison administration want to kill him in prison. All the ill prisoners are friends in prison for over 30 years. They openly express that they want to take them out with coffins."

 

THE IMPOSITION OF REGRET

 

Stating that the prison wanted to be turned into a military area, Orak said: "When we defend our rights, the guards said that they are giving us food and water, do not speak up and that's enough for us, Don't ask for anything else. The release of Adnan Karataş, who was given a life sentence, was prevented for a year because he did not accept the imposition of 'remorse'.  They have enacted an execution law for two years, and in this way, they trampled on the rights and laws in the dungeon and increased the torture even more."