Prisoners in İstanbul’s Silivri No. 5 L-Type Prison say they are facing increasing mistreatment, including physical violence, arbitrary restrictions, and blocked conditional releases, following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for disarmament, according to a statement released through their lawyers, Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reported on Monday.
In a written message shared with the MA, the inmates claimed that the Turkish prison authorities had intensified their punitive measures, with early morning cell searches turning into aggressive raids. “Every morning, 30 to 40 prison guards storm our cells, confiscating personal belongings such as pillows and items purchased with our own money,” the statement read. They accused prison officials of creating new, unofficial rules to justify these actions.
The prisoners described the situation as a deliberate provocation, linking the crackdown to Öcalan’s recent statement promoting “peace and a democratic society”. They claimed that since his call for disarmament, verbal harassment and physical assaults by prison staff had escalated. “Prison authorities see themselves as above the law, inventing arbitrary regulations and punishing inmates for non-existent infractions,” they added.
According to the statement, disciplinary actions based on false accusations have led to severe consequences, including the blocking of conditional releases. “Currently, 12 inmates who were due for release have been unlawfully denied their freedom,” they alleged. Additionally, prisoners reported being subjected to forced transfers, further disrupting their rights and legal processes.
The inmates said that those who protested these conditions faced physical violence. They described a recent morning inspection during which guards allegedly ripped down laundry lines, scattered inmates’ clothes on the floor, and responded with force when prisoners objected. “Some officers were only stopped when the so-called ‘Rapid Response Team’ had to intervene,” they claimed.
Calling on public institutions and human rights organisations for urgent action, the prisoners warned that the situation was worsening. “Prison administrators and senior guards are present during every violent crackdown, allowing these provocations to continue. We have so far prevented more serious incidents through our own restraint, but we are facing escalating provocations,” they said, urging authorities to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
