AGIRÎ - It is stated that women prisoners in Patnos Prison were beaten by the wardens who raided the ward, their hands were handcuffed behind their backs and they were taken to cell. The prisoners were not given an assault report.

 

It is stated that around 50 wardens in Patnos Type L Closed Prison in Agirî (Ağrı) raided a ward and beat female prisoners. Helin Özdemir, one of the prisoners, reported the beatings and ill-treatment they were subjected to in prison in her weekly phone call with her family on Thursday, 19 December.

 

In her phone conversation with her father Tekin Özdemir, Helin Özdemir stated that about 50 wardens, including men, raided their ward on Wednesday and described what happened during the raid as follows: "The guards raided our ward. After they physically intervened us in the ward, our hands were handcuffed behind our backs and we were put in a cell. In addition to physical violence, we were subjected to verbal insults. We demand an independent organisation to conduct an investigation in the prison against the violation of rights we have experienced. We want the public to take action."

 

NO ASSAULT REPORT WAS GIVEN

 

Father Özdemir stated that the violence continued even after his daughter Helin Özdemir was put in solitary confinement and that Helin Özdemir had bruises on her hands and arms and that she was not given an assault report at Patnos State Hospital. Özdemir stated that Hayriye Göksu and Rümeysa Bozkurt, who were among the prisoners who were beaten, were not even taken to hospital.

 

Tekin Özdemir stated that the food in the prison was also unhealthy and that unknown substances were found in the food, and that although a complaint was made with a petition on this issue, the administration responded by accusing the prisoners.

 

Ill-treatment and violence in prison is unacceptable said Özdemir added: "We call for public sensitivity on the issue and demand that all allegations be investigated as soon as possible and the perpetrators of violence be dismissed."

 

HELİN ÖZDEMİR

 

In 2023, Helin Özdemir, who was detained in Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Public Administration 2nd year student, was arrested by the court on the allegation of "being an illegal organisation member".