Sıddık Güler, a 81-year-old ill prisoner jailed in Turkey’s Iskenderun Type-T Prison is not being released despite his worsening health condition.
Güler, who has been in prison for 26 years, suffers from high blood pressure and inflammatory arthralgia. Having previously had an angio operation twice. Even though Güler is not able to maintain his daily activities on his own and he lives in a wheelchair, the Turkish judicial authorities do not accept the numerous applications issued pleading for Güler’s urgent release.
Human Rights Association (IHD) reports that there are over 1,500 ill-prisoners in Turkey’s prisons. Despite the increasing number of ill-prisoners and the worsening health conditions of many of them, the Turkish authorities do not take any steps for providing necessary medical service in prisons.
Diagnosed with Covid-19
“My father is not able to live in these prison conditions due to his age and his worsening health. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in February and he was unable to speak. He was recovered from the Covid-19, but he continues to suffer from his acute diseases,” said Ayşe Güler, Sıddık Güler’s daughter in an interview with Mesopotamia Agency.
“He lives in a wheelchair. Since he is constantly sick, he is transferred to a hospital very often. His transfer from prison to hospital is a very hard process for him that makes his situation worse,” Ayşe Güler said.
Ayşe Güler appealed for the release of her seriously sick father. “We are deeply, deeply concerned for his health. My father and all other ill prisoners should be immediately released,” she said.
