Prisoner in Erzurum H Type Closed Prison, 60-year-old cancer patient Mehmet Aras, who hasn’t been released for not receiving the reports from Forensic Medicine Institute, is reported to be in serious condition and taken to hospital.

Mehmet Aras, who is convicted in Erzurum H Type Closed Prison from PKK (Kurdistan Worker Party) case, was referred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for evacuation procedures by the instruction of President Abdullah Gül which came after the call and initiatives of human rights organizations. While the reports of Aras still haven’t been read, he was reported as deteriorated in the prison and taken to Erzurum Training and Research Hospital. Aras’ lawyer Þaziye Önder warned against possible worse consequences in case of continuation of the imprisonment.

Stating that the Ministry of Justice and all essential institutions should be sensitive, Önder said; “He had been taken to Ýstanbul with a ring vehicle to get the report. Mehmet Aras is now in hospital as he deteriorated for this reason. He is in a serious situation and the consequences will be worse if he is not released”.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil