Hamdullah Aydemir was arrested in 2015 in the Erdîş (Erciş) district of Wan (Van) on allegations of “terrorist organization membership.” During his imprisonment, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Aydemir, who was also included on the lists of ill prisoners prepared by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) and the Human Rights Association (İHD), was released from Ankara Sincan Closed Prison after nine years in detention when the execution of his sentence was postponed on the grounds that he could no longer continue his life in prison due to his health condition.

 

After his release, Aydemir began chemotherapy treatment. However, following the expiration of the postponement of his sentence, a notification was issued ordering his re-arrest and return to prison despite his 92 percent disability status.

 

 

Aydemir’s lawyer, Murat Özçiçek, filed an application requesting a further postponement of the execution of the sentence. If the application is rejected, Aydemir will be re-arrested and sent back to prison.

 

‘HE DEVELOPED CANCER IN PRISON’

 

Recalling that his client received three disciplinary punishments in 2016 and that these penalties resulted in the extension of his imprisonment, Özçiçek stated that Aydemir developed bladder cancer while in prison.

 

Lawyer Özçiçek also said that Aydemir suffered broken ribs as a result of an assault by prison guards. He stressed that Aydemir’s cancer had progressed to stage four because he was unable to access adequate treatment while incarcerated.

 

Reminding that his client had been unable to access treatment opportunities throughout his imprisonment and that his medical care had therefore been repeatedly delayed, Özçiçek said: “His chemotherapy treatment is currently ongoing. A hospital in Wan issued a disability report stating that he is 92 percent disabled. Despite this, Hamdullah Aydemir was sent a notification stating that he must return to prison. We submitted a new application for the postponement of the execution of his sentence, stating that his treatment is continuing and that he is not in a condition to return to prison. If our application is rejected, an arrest warrant will be issued and he will be taken back to prison.”

 

MA / Bilal Babat