Meltem AKYOL
İstanbul

The public has been talking for days about what happened at Silivri closed prisons. Allegedly in the violence and torture that began on 6th April, 60 guards tortured inmates in the wards they entered, and then threatened them and asked them to kill themselves. As the controversy was continuing the news of Ferhan Yılmaz’s death emerged, followed by the footage from the care room which confirming the intense torture. The authorities have said nothing aside from confirming Yilmaz’s death and the subsequent investigation. They commented that the ‘’news are nothing but perception’. Families of other inmates allegedly abused are concerned for their wellbeing. They say they haven't heard their children's voices since Friday, adding: "Why isn't anyone answering us, where should we go, who should we ask?"

AGCA'S SISTER: WHY WAS SHE RELEASED WHEN THE NEWS OF HER LAWYER'S ATTENDING WAS ANNOUNCED?

Coşkun Ağca was one of the inmates held in Silivri 5 Type L Closed Prison A-10 Ward. His sister, Burcu Bozdemir, delivered two videos she made this morning. This is what she says in those videos:

"We have not heard from my brother Coskun Ağca. The last time he called me on a Friday, he said, 'Sister, help us, the guards are torturing us. We've got the scars of beatings on our feet and arms; we have handcuff marks on our feet. We've been cut all over. Let them hear our voices wherever you can, help us.' When I called the prison on Saturday, I was told, 'Your brother's fine, he's in the ward now.' When I called on Sunday, it was said, 'Your brother is in contact with Kovid-19, he's lying in a cell.' I asked, if we could see him with our lawyer present, and was told, 'Yes, we can, he's fine.' When I called back on Monday, I was told he is not here, he has been transferred to Izmir Type F Prison 2'. We called Izmir but was told that he should be able to contact us by Sunday the earliest. My brother’s name was on the audio recording we received. I was called by a convict’s mother, 'My daughter, seven people committed suicide in your brother's ward, my son saw your brother in the hospital...' she said. We fear for our brother's life, we are devastated. Why is my brother being rushed into another prison when his lawyer’s attendance is confirmed? Why are we being told by the prison in Izmir that we can only call on Sunday?"

I STILL DON’T KNOW WHERE HE IS

Another inmate is Halil Kasal. After an audio recording of Kasal, describing torture and ill-treatment, his mother was never able to reach her son again. It was claimed that he was in intensive care, his mother called the hospitals, but she couldn't find out where he was. Then she was told that he was back in prison. I called the mother this morning and she said they had no information except that he had been transferred to Izmir. Helpless, she keeps calling the numb er that told her he was in Izmir, no one ever picks up. She also called Izmir 1 and 2 F1 Type prison again with no luck. She was unable to travel to Silivri because of financial difficulties, she is seeking ways to go to Izmir. ‘Would I see him if I go’ she asks. Then she adds: "Why doesn't anyone answer us, where should we go, who should we ask?" I don’t have the answers to her questions, so I keep quiet. ‘I will try calling the prisons again’ she says before hanging up.

AUTHORITIES SAYS NOTHING EXCPEPT; ‘INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AND THE NEWS ARE PERCEPTIVE’

On Wednesday, the Istanbul Bar Association's Human Rights Centre went to Silivri Type 5 Prison as part of the investigation. According to the baron, many of the inmates named in the allegations of mass suicide attempts, systematic mistreatment and torture in the sponge room were transferred out of town into other prisons.

The information released by an inmate during his visit confirms what has been said since the beginning.

"After the execution guard slapped an inmate during the head count, the prisoners were threatened by the execution guards, after which some prisoners were taken into the sponge room where they faced physical violence, the inmates declared that they have been tortured, threatened not to report their injuries. The inmates who were taken into the sponge room were sent back to their cell the next da. The allegations that they committed suicide by taking pills after being sent to their wards were communicated to us during the interview."

Despite these accounts and the images that have appeared, the statements made from the authorities do not answer the questions of the families or the public. So far, a statement has been made from the Public Prosecutor's Office of Silivri and the General Directorate of Corrections and Detention. Statements confirming the death of Ferhan Yılmaz do not go beyond the perception of news and the launch of an investigation. The Minister of Justice is yet to comment. Families, human rights organizations, and lawmakers are waiting for answers.