Ahmet Sılık is a 76-year-old man who was detained in the Bayraklı district of İzmir on 4 November 2011 with the allegation that he “aided and abetted the organisation”. He was released on 19 October 2012, after nearly a year in prison. However, two months later, Sılık was sentenced to six years, six months, and 22 days in prison with the same charge. He was taken into custody again on 9 March 2018, and has been behind bars ever since.
He is suffering from Alzheimer’s and cannot recognise any of his family members, nor does he remember to take his medication. But he is still a “threat” to the public according to police reports and he remains in prison.
Human Rights Association (İHD) İzmir Branch made a press statement regarding the situation of ill prisoners in Turkey and drew attention to the situation of Ahmet Sılık. “According to the law enforcement report, 76-year-old paralysed Sılık ‘poses a danger to public health’. The law enforcement report, which cannot be explained with either logic or conscience, prevents the release of Ahmet Sılık. What kind of danger does Sılık pose?”
Ahmet Çiçek from the İHD İzmir Association Prison Commission spoke at the conference on behalf of the İHD. “The conditions in Turkish prisons are threatening the mental and physical integrity of detainees. Sılık suffered a stroke before entering prison and his condition is getting worse”.
Çiçek went on to call for Sılık’s release. “Ahmet Sılık must be released immediately. Sılık is suffering from Alzheimer’s and has problems such as forgetfulness, irritability, and imbalance. Also, he struggles with high blood pressure, prostate diseases, and many other health problems. The three vessels that go to the brain are blocked, but surgery cannot be performed due to age. He has not been transferred to the hospital due to a pandemic and his right to access healthy treatment has been violated”.
Forensic Medicine Institiution: ‘He cannot stay in prison’
The Forensic Medicine Institution determined that Sılık “cannot stay in prison” and lawyers applied for him to be released. However, the request was rejected by the prosecutor’s office due to the law enforcement report stating that Sılık “poses a danger to public health”.
“We urge the authorities to take action in this case”, said Ahmet Çiçek
