Justice vigil in İzmir calls for the release of sick prisoners

Prisoners’ families carrying out a justice vigil in Izmir province for 40 days, stated that the Turkish state does not recognize its own laws when dealing with prisoners.

The families demanding the release of sick prisoners, came together at the Aegean Association of Relatives of Prisoners and Convicts (EGE-TUHAYDER) to mark the 40th day of their action.

A prisoner's relative, Hanife Gümüş, criticized the state officials, saying that prisoner Mehmet Sevinç, who suffered cerebral bleeding in Manisa Akhisar Prison, was left for dead.

“The Turkish state does not recognize its laws. Several prisoners have recently died in jails. Mehmet Sevinç in Akhisar Prison died as a result of cerebral bleeding. His family has doubts that he might have died otherwise. He was a patient with high blood pressure, and was placed in a solitary confinement cell. We don't want our children to die in prisons. Sick prisoners should be released immediately,” Gümüş said.