Coronavirus: Turkey to release prisoners, but not political detainees

In the context of the new coronavirus epidemic, Turkey is partially emptying its overcrowded prisons. AFP / ADEM ALTAN

Text by: Anne Andlauer

In the context of the new coronavirus epidemic, Turkey is partially emptying its overcrowded prisons. A third of detainees, about 90,000 people, should soon benefit from early release or house arrest under a law debated in Parliament on Tuesday. However, some of the prisoners, including those tried or convicted of "terrorism", are excluded from these measures. And among them, many political prisoners.

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From our correspondent in Istanbul,

This is a paradox: if the Turkish prisons are overcrowded - 240,000 places for around 300,000 detainees - it is that since the failed coup in summer 2016, tens of thousands of people have been locked up on charges of links with "terrorism". Loyal supporters of preacher Fethullah Gülen - the mastermind of the coup - but also journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents members of the pro-Kurdish party.

However, all these prisoners - many of whom are in pre-trial detention - are excluded from early release measures. According to lawyer Erdal Dogan, a specialist in these trials, they should have been the first to benefit from it: " These are people who have committed no crime other than that of thinking and writing, who are victims of anger and hatred of power. It is neither understandable legally, nor humanly, nor morally. "

Erdal Dogan does not believe statements by the Minister of Justice that no case of Covid-19 has been detected in prison. " The prison administration employs tens of thousands of people, " he says. None of them can possibly carry the virus. In addition, prisoners do not of course have access to soap and water like everyone else. To exclude political prisoners is to threaten them with death, and then to be held responsible for their death. "

Especially since the epidemic inflicts them a double penalty: the lengthening of their trial. Due to coronavirus, court hearings are suspended at least until the end of the month.

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  • Turkey
  • Coronavirus