Release of political prisoner postponed again

Political prisoner Ismail Hakki Tursun, who has been behind bars in Turkey for 31 years, is denied release due to a "lack of remorse".

The release of political prisoner Ismail Hakki Tursun in Turkey has been postponed for the third time. His detention has been extended by nine months. The reason given for the continued detention was the report of the Administration and Monitoring Committee in the High Security Prison No. 2 in Urfa, which certified that he had a "poor good conduct".

Tursun was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1992 for "supporting a terrorist organisation". Although the regular prison term ended a year ago, his release was prevented last December, as well as in June this year on the same grounds. His participation in the hunger strike against the isolation of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and his hunger strike against the introduction of "prison uniforms" in 2018, his protest against the attacks on Afrin, his petitions against rights violations and the fact that he had shouted slogans during transfers were listed as arguments against his release. It is claimed that he does not have a good conduct as he does not regret his "crimes".

It was also noted in the last decision that Tursun has been in prison for 31 years and has never shown remorse. The next review is due to take place in September 2024. Tursun suffers from high blood pressure and other illnesses and is on the IHD's (Human Rights Association) list of seriously ill prisoners.