VIDEO: Lawyer Visit to Serkan Onur Yilmaz on day 278 of his death fast

Here we publish a video statement of lawyer Doga Incesu, who has visited his client, Serkan Onur Yilmaz on his 278th day of death fast at Bolu F Type prison.

ENGLISH subtitled video:

“Today, we visited our client Serkan Onur Yilmaz at Bolu Type F Prison.

He said that he was in a lot of pain at this stage.

He said that he had difficulty sleeping and sometimes had difficulty breathing.

Our client also stated that he can no longer walk and that his knees are giving out.

Of course, today marks the 278th day of his hunger strike, which is now at a very advanced stage.

And from today onwards, from this moment onwards, our client will certainly not get any better.

His health is actually deteriorating. We visit him every week.

And every week, his health is worse than the week before.

Of course, our client had certain demands when he began his death fast and indefinite hunger strike.

These were primarily to raise awareness about pit-type prisons.

And to ensure that he and his friends were transferred to a prison that was not a pit-type prison.

Of course, in order for people to understand these demands, it is necessary to understand and explain the reality of pit-type prisons.

First of all, these prisons have no ventilation (access to prison yard).

We express it this way, but our clients say it like this: Don’t just dismiss it as ventilation.

Because we walk around, exercise, and march there.

And at the same time, ventilation actually allows us to come into contact with the sun, air, and rain.

Now, when there is no access to the prison yard, prisoners are left alone in a tiny cell for 22-23 hours a day.

In other words, they are isolated from the outside world.

And again, there are many violations of rights in pit-type prisons.

When a detainee or convict is brought to prison, they have certain basic rights. What are these? They can see their family once a week.

They can talk to their family on the phone once a week. They have three visits with friends. They can write down three names and communicate with their friends.

And they have the right to chat with their friends in neighbouring cells, as you know.

Now, these rights are violated in pit-type prisons, referred to as High Security Prisons (YGC)…“