Wounded PKK prisoner denied treatment in jail

PKK member prisoner Hakkı Turgay is held in a solitary cell and can’t receive treatment in the Elazığ Type T prison he is held in.

PKK member Hakkı Turgay was captured alive in Zeve (Yakıtlı) village of Batman’s Hasankeyf district on December 24. Turgay was tortured heavily in detention. He had wounds on his head and foot, and both were heavily battered for days and Turgay was hospitalized after he fainted during torture. Listed by the Interior Ministry as “High ranking PKK member in the grey list”, Turgay was taken to Batman prison after receiving a brief treatment in the hospital. He received no treatment for months in the Batman prison, and was exiled on April 12, shortly after treatment started when his family and lawyers insisted.

Turgay stated that the Elazığ prison administration put him in a solitary cell and pressured and threatened him to go to the independents ward, and that he didn’t receive the necessary treatment. Turgay also said that the prison administration brought some independent prisoners to his section and provoked them against him.

“I WAS TORTURED UNTIL I FAINTED”

Wounded PKK prisoner Hakkı Turgay wrote a letter and said the following on his experience: “After I was captured with wounds on my head and foot on December 24, I was tortured for days. I was hospitalized when I fainted during torture, where I received a short treatment and afterwards I was arrested and transferred to prison. I continued with my daily life with help from my friends in the Batman prison.”

“I WAS EXILED DESPITE MY UNSUITABLE CONDITION”

Turgay continued his letter with: “My treatment was prevented for months, a partial treatment started in April but immediately after, I was exiled to Elazığ prison in a S ring vehicle, despite my unsuitable health condition. There are serious pressures and inhumane practices. I am barred from seeing PKK prisoners, I am having trouble due to my wounded foot, and I’m trying to stand with crutches. I can’t fulfill my needs.”

“I RECEIVE THREATS FOR WANTING TO STAY WITH PKK MEMBERS”

I receive threats for wanting to stay with PKK prisoners and I am subjected to threats and pressure from the wardens. They want me to stay with some independent prisoners, but I don’t accept that and I am in resistance. The prison administration brings some independent, neutral people to the section I’m in to create a provocation and gets these people worked up against me.”

“I DON’T RECEIVE TREATMENT, MY HEALTH IS DETERIORATING”

Hakkı Turgay stated that his treatment that started in Batman Prison was halted in Elazığ prison when he was exiled and added: “The prison administration uses the treatment against me also. My health is deteriorating, I am wounded on my foot and head and I have yet to receive any serious treatment.”

Turgay pointed out that the public should be conscious about the pressure oppression in Elazığ prison and his own condition, and stated that he wanted to receive treatment at once. Turgay also stated that he wants to stay with the PKK prisoners.