It has been revealed that Sevil Rojbin Çetin, a Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activist and Democratic Local Administrations member who has cancer, has not been treated for it in Mardin (Mêrdîn) Prison in Turkey, where she is currently being held.
Her family has called upon the authorities to act responsibly over the matter. Çetin’s house in Diyarbakır (Amed) had been raided on 27 June. She had subsequently been subjected to torture with dogs for three hours before being taken to Mardin. Following ten days in custody, she was arrested over the decision of the court and sent to Mardin E-Type Closed Prison.
According to the BBC, the Diyarbakır Governorship made a statement over her claims of torture, denying them. However, Çetin’s lawyer had visited her house after the raid and taken images that prove she was tortured at the time.
Çetin, who was being treated for cancer before her house raid in June, has been subjected to harsh prison conditions ever since her imprisonment in July. Despite reportedly having difficulties meeting her daily needs due to the progression of her cancer, she has not been taken to hospital for treatment since she was imprisoned. According to Mesopotamia Agency, the prison administration has also blocked Çetin’s access to her desperately needed medicines.
Her family members have stated that Çetin,who has health problems, should be released immediately. They have appealed to the public to be aware of Rojbin’s desperate situation.