Latif Akay, sentenced to 8 years and 9 months for alleged “membership in an organization,” has been imprisoned since 2019 in Batman Beşiri T Type Closed Prison. His health is rapidly deteriorating: his left kidney has failed, he suffers from lung spots, inguinal hernia, prostate disease, asthma, a broken left hip bone with a plate, cataracts severely impairing vision in his right eye, fractures in his right knee, and varicose veins with blood pooling in his ankles. He is now unable to walk.

 

PAROLE REQUEST DENIED

 

Despite a recent medical report from Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute recommending effective treatment and stating he can remain in prison, a request for postponement of his sentence was rejected by the Execution Judge. Akay, imprisoned for over 6 years, is expected to complete his sentence soon; however, an additional 12-month sentence for “possessing a licensed firearm” prevents his release under supervised parole.

 

‘LEFT TO DIE’

 

Serdar Akay said that despite multiple requests for his father’s release, no results have been obtained, and his father’s condition worsens daily. 

 

“He cannot walk or eat properly. During our last visit, we saw his condition had deteriorated, he struggles to walk and speak, sweats excessively, has lost 18 kilograms since imprisonment, and has ongoing inflammations. Though treated at Beşiri State Hospital’s emergency department and given medication and injections, inflammation continues. He can only manage with help from fellow inmates. He is essentially left to die. We demand his immediate release so he can receive treatment outside prison. There is a peace process underway, and we hope prosecutors and judges consider this in their decisions,” he added.

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal