'Vefa Kartal Taken from Hospital to Prison is Vulnerable to Infection'

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Ill prisoner Vefa Kartal, who was held in Tekirdağ Type T Prison, ended his hunger strike on its 96th day on October 9 after his demands for the improvement of his prison conditions and treatment of his illnesses in a hospital were accepted.

Kartal was taken to the Tekirdağ Public Hospital on the same day.

CLICK - Vefa Kartal Ends Hunger Strike on 96th Day

Speaking to bianet about the condition his brother today (October 15), Umut Kartal has said that Vefa Kartal was taken back to prison on October 12.

Stating that they are not sure whether the illnesses of Kartal were treated or not, Umut Kartal has indicated that they are concerned:

"We have not received the official documents yet. We are not sure whether he has undergone the treatment or not. We have our concerns regarding whether a trick is being played on us. We will receive information from the doctors once the documents are delivered to us."

Korur-Fincancı: He is vulnerable to infection

Forensic expert Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur-Fincancı has also spoken to bianet about the condition of Vefa Kartal.

Korur-Fincancı has emphasized that though the illnesses of Kartal could be treated in such a short span of time, he might still be vulnerable to infection due to his 96-day hunger strike:

"I have not seen the medical reports. His illnesses might have really been treated in a short span of time.

"But, there is still something to be careful about: Someone who had been on a hunger strike for 96 days is sure to have a weakened body resistance and a body that is vulnerable to infections and germs. I do not believe that prisons are safer than hospitals in that regard. He could have been held in hospital until his vulnerability to infections decreases."

What happened?

Vefa Kartal, who has been sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, has been behind bars for 24 years.

Nearly two years ago, Kartal was referred to the neurosurgery service on the ground that the blood vessels between his cerebral lobes had swollen. He also has other health problems such as Hepatitis B, prostate, hypertension, ulcer, intestinal problems and allergy.

İll prisoner Vefa Kartal went on a hunger strike as a protest against rights violations on August 18, 2017, when he was held in İzmir no. 1 Type F Prison, and ended this strike 114 days later.

Kartal, who went on a hunger strike with the demand that his fundamental rights, especially his right to access medical treatment, ended his strike on its 96th day after his demands were accepted and he was taken to hospital. (EMK/SD)