Hopeful news from Gürkan Türkoglu

Gürkan Türkoglu was force fed one day before his demands to be transferred to prison without isolation torture were recognised by the Minister of Justice, after resisting brutal isolation politics in Turkey’s “pit-type” (high security) prisons with a hunger strike for 266 days.

His two comrades, Hüseyin Özen and Tahsin Sagaltici, were transferred to another prison, while Gürkan remained in the intensive care unit at Antalya City Hospital. He has been there for over a month now, intubated and continuing to struggle for life. Even while he was in a coma, the authorities continued their inhumane practices by handcuffing him to the hospital bed.

In any case, thanks to ongoing solidarity and resistance, another victory was achieved a few days ago when his prison execution was suspended for three months. Gürkan is now able to continue his struggle free from the tyranny of handcuffs, surrounded by his family and friends.

We recently received some good news regarding Gürkan’s health.

‘Gürkan responded to his father’s voice today. He is also responding to his doctors. The doctors are encouraged by his progress. He has been taken off the ventilator twice. However, his diaphragm muscles have not yet regained sufficient strength. They are trying a new medication to help him regain full consciousness.”

The campaign “WAKE UP GÜRKAN, EMBRACE YOUR VICTORY!” is continuing.

GIVE YOUR VOICE TO TAHSIN SAGALTICI AND HÜSEYIN ÖZEN

We also would like to spread this call to support other political prisoners, whose rights are still violated.

Tahsin Sagaltici and Hüseyin Özen, who won the resistance alongside Gürkan Türkoglu at Antalya’s High Security Prison, have been transferred to Antalya L Type Prison. However, it has been reported that they are being kept in solitary confinement and do not have a companion to assist them with their daily needs.

Example letter to the Ministry of Justice

e-mail: info@adalet.gov.tr

TURKISH:

Adalet Bakanlığına

Tahsin Sağaltıcı ve Hüseyin Özen’e refakatçi verilmeli. Antalya Kuyu Tipi’ndeki arkadaşları da onların yanına sevk edilmeli.

21 Nisan 2026’da taleplerinin kabul edilmesinin ardından Antalya L Tipi Hapishanesine sevk edilen Tahsin Sağaltıcı ve Hüseyin Özen, refakatçisiz şekilde hapishane hücresinde tutulmaktadır.
Kendilerine söz verildiği hâlde Antalya Yüksek Güvenlikli Hapishanesi, yani Kuyu Tipi’nde tutulan arkadaşları L Tipi’ne sevk edilmemiştir.

260’lı günleri aşkın süresiz açlık grevi yapan insanları tek başına, tek kişilik hücrede tutmak zulümdür. Onlar kendi ihtiyaçlarını karşılayacak durumda değiller. Yaşamlarını tek başına idame ettiremiyorlar. Denge sorunları ve güç kaybı yaşıyorlar. Söz verildiği gibi, diğer tutsaklar da sevk edilmeli. Verilen sözler tutulmalıdır.

ENGLISH:

To the Ministry of Justice

Tahsin Sağaltıcı and Hüseyin Özen should be provided with a carer.

Their comrades in Antalya’s pit-type prison should also be transferred to the same facility.

Tahsin Sağaltıcı and Hüseyin Özen, who were transferred to Antalya L-Type Prison on 21 April 2026 following the acceptance of their requests, are being held in prison cells without an accompanying person.

Despite the promises made to them, their comrades held at Antalya High-Security Prison—known as the pit-like prisons – were not transferred to the L Type.

Keeping people who have been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 260 days in solitary confinement is a form of cruelty.

They are unable to look after themselves. They cannot manage life on their own. They suffer from balance problems and loss of strength.

As promised, the other prisoners must also be transferred. Promises must be kept.

GIVE YOUR VOICE TO SERIOUSLY ILL PRISONER IRFAN YILMAZ

Example letter to the

Istanbul Medical Association – E-Mail: istabip@istabip.org.tr

Ministry of Justcie – E-Mail: info@adalet.gov.tr

Director of Marmara No. 2 L-Type Prison – E-Mail: silivri.2ltcik@adalet.gov.tr

TURKISH:

İstanbul Tabip Odasına
Adalet Bakanlığına (info@adalet.gov.tr)
Marmara 2 No.lu L Tipi Hapishanesi Müdürüne

İRFAN YILMAZ KİMDİR:

Yılmaz, 59 yaşında, serebellar sendrom hastası, %96 engelli raporu olan bir tutsaktır. Ayakta duramıyor; ellerini kollarını istediği gibi kullanamıyor. Konuşmakta zorlanıyor.

Adli Tıp Kurumu, İrfan Yılmaz’la ilgili olarak “Hapishanede yaşamını sürdüremez.” raporu verirken Sarıyer İlçe Emniyet Müdürlüğü “Güvenlik sorunu yaratır.” diyerek tahliye edilmemesi yönünde rapor verdi. Buna dayanılarak İrfan Yılmaz tahliye edilmiyor.

İrfan Yılmaz, Marmara (Silivri) Hapishaneler Kampüsü Hastanesinde Üroloji Bölümüne sevk edildi. Doktor, Yılmaz’a sondasını çıkartarak sondasız yaşama adapte olmasını söyledi. Ancak Yılmaz’ın “ördek” lazımlık ve prezervatif sonda ihtiyaçlarını karşılamadı. Sadece bez yazdı. Su kaçıran bu sağlıksız bezlere mahkûm edilen İrfan Yılmaz, sondasının çıkartılmasından sonra sık sık idrar yolu iltihaplanması yaşıyor.

Doktorun verdiği antibiyotikleri kullanan Yılmaz, şu sorunları yaşıyor: el parmaklarında uyuşma, sürekli idrar kaçırma, idrarın geldiğini neredeyse hiç hissetmeme…

Hapishanenin Üroloji Bölümü doktoru, Yılmaz’ı azarlayarak “İlaçların bir yan etkisi yoktur! Sen bana doktorluk yapıyorsun.” dedi ve “Alın bunu götürün!” diyerek İrfan’ı odasından kovdu.

TALEP:
1- İrfan Yılmaz’ı ziyaret ederek yaşadıklarını, hastalığını, sağlık durumunu ondan dinlemenizi isteriz.

2- İrfan Yılmaz’ı odasından kovan, tedavisini yapmayan doktor müsveddesinin kimliği tespit edilmeli ve hakkında soruşturma açılmalıdır.
Doktorluk yapmayan bu kişi, doktorluk mesleğinin onurunu taşımamaktadır; bu nedenle de doktorluk yapması engellenmelidir.
Suçu: %96 engelli bir hasta tutsağın tedavisini yapmamak, hasta haklarını gasp etmek, hastanın taleplerini karşılamamak.

3- İrfan Yılmaz’ın tahliye edilmesi yönünde açıklama yaparak rapor hazırlamanız, tahliye edilmesini hızlandıracaktır.

İrfan Yılmaz diyor ki: “İnsan kolsuz, bacaksız yaşar. Dilsiz, gözsüz, kulaksız da… Ama onursuz asla…”

İRFAN YILMAZ, CEZA İNFAZ YASASI’NIN 16. MADDESİ GEREĞİNCE DERHAL SERBEST BIRAKILMALIDIR.

%96 ENGELLİ İRFAN YILMAZ’I HAPİSHANEDE TUTMAK SUÇTUR! 

ENGLISH:

WHO IS İRFAN YILMAZ:

Yılmaz is a 59-year-old prisoner suffering from cerebellar syndrome, with a disability rating of 96%. He is unable to stand; he cannot use his hands and arms as he wishes. He has difficulty speaking.

While the Forensic Medicine Institute issued a report stating that “he cannot sustain his life in prison”, the Sarıyer District Police Department submitted a report arguing that “he poses a security risk” and therefore should not be released. On this basis, İrfan Yılmaz is not being released.

İrfan Yılmaz was referred to the Urology Department at the Marmara (Silivri) Prison Complex Hospital. The doctor told Yılmaz to have his catheter removed and adapt to life without one. However, the hospital did not provide Yılmaz with the ‘duck-shaped’ urinal or the condom catheter he required. They only prescribed nappies. Condemned to use these leaky, unsanitary nappies, İrfan Yılmaz has been suffering from frequent urinary tract infections since his catheter was removed.

Yılmaz, who is taking the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, is experiencing the following problems: numbness in his fingers, constant urinary incontinence, and hardly any sensation when he needs to urinate…

The doctor in the prison’s Urology Department scolded Yılmaz, saying, “These medicines have no side effects! You’re telling me how to do my job,” and, shouting, “Take him away!” he threw İrfan out of his office.

REQUEST:

1- We would like you to visit İrfan Yılmaz and listen to him describe his experiences, his illness and his state of health.

2- The identity of the so-called doctor who expelled İrfan Yılmaz from his room and failed to treat him must be established, and an investigation must be launched against him.

This individual, who is not practising medicine, does not uphold the honour of the medical profession; therefore, they must be prevented from practising medicine.

Offence: Failing to treat a patient with a 96% disability, violating the patient’s rights, and failing to meet the patient’s requests.

3- Issuing a statement and preparing a report in favour of İrfan Yılmaz’s release will speed up his release.

İrfan Yılmaz says: ‘A person can live without arms or legs. Without a tongue, eyes or ears too… But never without honour…’

İRFAN YILMAZ MUST BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 16 OF THE PENAL CODE.

HOLDING IRFAN YILMAZ, WHO IS 96 PER CENT DISABLED, IN PRISON IS A CRIME!