DİYARBAKIR - Mehmet Polat being held in prison for nearly 27 years is not released despite the shrapnel in his body and his heart disease.

 

Mehmet Polat, who was injured in a clash in Bitlis in 1996 and was later arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, is not released despite his health problems. Polat, who lives with 2 pieces of shrapnel in his liver, has had 2 angiograms so far due to his heart disease. Family of Polat, who is being held in Diyarbakır No. 1 Type F Closed Prison, wants him to be released.

 

DOCTORS CAN NOT INTERVENE

 

Stating that his brother was transferred to Bitlis, Antep, Kırıkkale, Şırnak and finally to Diyarbakır Prisons after he was captured, Turan Polat said that his brother's health condition deteriorated as the time has passed. Polat said, "My brother had two angiographies. He still has pieces of shrapnel in his liver. Doctors cannot intervene. There is a risk of infection and different diseases due to prison conditions. If he was outside, his disease would not have progressed this much."

 

HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND HIS MOTEHR'S FUNERAL

 

Stating that his brother was not allowed to attend the funeral when his mother passed away, Polat said, "My mother had not seen my brother for a long time because she was ill. She always thought that he'd be released than she'd see him."

 

Polat made a call to Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdağ who says he will take action regarding the sick prisoners and said, "They are late. Sick prisoners had to be released a long time ago. If a prisoner dies after spending 15 years in prison, it is a very serious situation. It is also a horrific pain for the family. Ministry of Justice should have taken action much earlier. The people should also stand up for the sick prisoners."

 

MA / Mahmut Altıntaş