PIRHA-Interview with wife of prisoner Fikret Akar

Article in relation with an interview given by Sükriye Akar, wife of hunger strike resister Fikret Akar, to the press agency PIRHA.

Here’s our translation from Turkish and link to origine: https://pirha.org/tag/fikret-akar/

Fikret Akar on the 189th day of his hunger strike: His demands should be accepted –

While the health condition of Fikret Akar, who has been on hunger strike for the 189th day to be transferred from Çorlu Karatepe High Security Prison to a non-‘well type’ prison is deteriorating, his family wants his demands to be accepted as soon as possible.

Violations of rights in prisons, which have been implemented under the names of “S Type”, “Y Type” and “High Security” since 2021 and described as “well type” by human rights defenders due to their architectural structure and practices, continue to come to the fore.

Fikret Akar has been on hunger strike for the 189th day in order to be transferred from Çorlu Karatepe High Security Prison to a prison that is not ‘well type’.

Fikret Akar’s wife Şükriye Akar spoke to PİRHA.

“ONLY ALLOWED OUT FOR ONE HOUR OF AIRING PER DAY”

Şükriye Akar stated that her husband was arrested on 17 August and transferred from Silivri to Çorlu Karatepe High Security Prison on 1 February, adding, “He is only allowed out for one hour of fresh air per day and has to spend 23 hours a day alone in a cell. Prisoners refer to these prisons as ‘well-type prisons’ because they feel as if they have been placed at the bottom of a well.”

“WE WANT THE CLOSURE OF PIT-TYPE PRISONS”

Stating that her husband began an indefinite hunger strike on 30 March, Akar said, “His health is deteriorating. He has developed ulcers on his feet, so he can no longer sit or walk for long periods of time. He also has muscle pain and difficulty swallowing.  At least in F-type prisons you can see the sky and dry your clothes outside.

They have now made even seeing the sun a great luxury for prisoners. So imagine the extent of cruelty in pit-like prisons. No sun, no people, no air. As families of prisoners, we want pit-like prisons to be closed down,” she said.