Turkey: Torture Against Fırat Akgül Continues

We share an unofficial translation of an article by Yeni Demokrasi.

The isolation of Fırat Akgül, who was transferred from Elazığ Type 1 High-Security Prison to Suluca Type 1 High-Security Prison, continues.

Fırat Akgül, a Partizan prisoner, who had been denied open and closed visits, sports, conversations, and other rights for years while in Elazığ, is still being isolated in Suluca, a K-type prison. On August 3, Akgül was transferred to Suluca Type 1 High-Security Prison, where he was subjected to a strip search at the prison entrance. When he refused to undergo the strip search, a disciplinary investigation was launched against him on the grounds of “restriction of social activities”.

PENALTIES RECEIVED IN ELAZIĞ ARE BEING APPLIED IN SULUCA

The Suluca Prison administration has carried out another injustice. The administration has decided to apply the disciplinary penalties given to Akgül in Elazığ Prison, also in Suluca Prison. As a result, Akgül is currently being denied his right to exercise.

When prisoners are transferred, the penalties they received in their previous prison are usually canceled.

BEING HELD ALONE IN THE CORRIDOR

The cell where Fırat Akgül is being held, and even the corridor, is empty. Despite not having been convicted yet, Akgül is being held in isolation. He has requested to be held in the same cell as other political prisoners since the day he arrived, but his request has been denied.

Akgül went on a 5-day hunger strike against this injustice, during which he was not given sugar or salt. He continues to bang on the door and shout slogans until his demands are attended.

TORTURE CONTINUES

Akgül is also facing problems in meeting his needs from the prison canteen, where he is being sold overpriced goods. When he requested a shaving machine, his request was not met until the price increased. When he wanted to buy one of the three types of fans available at the canteen, he was only offered the most expensive one.

While in Elazığ, Akgül was able to make phone calls to his relatives using two different lines, but in Suluca, one of them was not accepted.

During phone calls, when he spoke to his brother, the conversation was cut off if his father answered the phone.